Katherine Birkner

Katherine Marie Birkner passed away on June 24, 2009. Local memorial services will be held at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Bartlesville at 11 am on Friday June 26. Services will also be held on June 30 at 12 noon at the Porter Loring Funeral Home North in San Antonio, Texas. Interment will follow at 1:30 pm at the Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas. Arrangements are under the direction of the Neekamp-Luginbuel Funeral Home. Online condolences may be left at www.honoringmemories.com. Katherine Marie Birkner was born on January 5, 1919 in Lake Charles, Louisiana. She graduated from Beaumont High School in Texas and received her RN degree from Hotel Dieu School of Nursing in Beaumont. Kay joined the United States Army Nurse Corp in 1941 and after receiving her basic training in Camp Bowie, Texas she was transferred to the 38th General Hospital in Cairo, Egypt. During WWII she also served in Sicily and Florence, Italy before returning to the United States in 1944. Kay received three bronze service stars before leaving the service in 1945. Kay married Archie G. Birkner in June of 1945. During Archie's service career they lived in Texas, California, Maryland, Georgia and Germany. Kay and Archie ultimately retired to San Antonio, Texas where they were active members and supporters of many organizations. Kay continued her nursing profession whenever possible during Archie's service career and worked in a diversity of nursing positions including Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, Camp Gary Job Corps in San Marcos, Texas and San Marcos Baptist Academy. Throughout her life, Kay mastered several crafts and hobbies and had an uncanny ability to turn them into businesses which provided her with pleasure and profit. Her love of gardening evolved into a commercial greenhouse where she grew many exotic plants that brightened homes and yards. She enjoyed years as a beekeeper providing honey to friends and neighbors. Her abilities as a seamstress allowed her to craft clothing, casual and formal, equal to the finest lines. Kay's artistry in the kitchen led to catering by popular demand for her hand-crafted delicacies. In retirement, Kay and Archie traveled far and wide, visiting many different continents, literally dancing their way across the globe. Her intense curiosity and joie de vivre stimulated those around her and made the world a better place for all whose lives she touched. Kay will be remembered by family, friends and strangers for her warm smile, gracious demeanor and elegant style. Kay is proceeded in death by her husband Archie. She is survived by her sister Gretchen Gager of Houston, her brothers, Chester H. Holleman of Washington, D.C. and Byrd Holleman of Rogue River, Oregon, her son Archie Birkner III and his wife Peggy of Bella Vista, Arkansas, her daughter Katherine Marie Powell and her husband Ben of Bartlesville, Oklahoma and her youngest son Don Terrill Birkner and his wife Ann of Sutton Alaska. She is also survived by six grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. Memorial donations may be made to Alzheimer's Association

Service Details

Friday, June 26th, 2009 11:00am, St. Luke's Episcopal Church

Interment Details

Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery