Norma Jean (Burk) Birkenholtz

Per Jean’s wishes, private services will be held.  Memorial contributions to the Woodrow Wilson PTO (to be used for students' food and clothing needs) can be left at the funeral home.

   Norma Jean Birkenholtz (Burk), daughter of Sylvester and Tressia (Gardner) Burk, was born February 7, 1933, in Des Moines, Iowa.   She married Ordell Birkenholtz on February 18, 1951.  She valued family life over all else.  She and Ordell raised five children on their farm north of Monroe and moved to Newton in 1983.  They wintered in Rio Grande Valley, Texas for 30 years.  She was a devoted wife and caregiver to Ordell for 72 years before his death in 2023.  She was also a proud mother and grandmother and enjoyed spending time with her family. 

   Jean died at the age of 92 on July 31, 2025.  She is survived by her children: Diana Birkenholtz of Des Moines, Denise (Dwight) Etter of Ankeny, Patricia Birkenholtz of Cedar Falls, Charles Birkenholtz of Monroe, and Laura (Dan) Wolfe of Sun Valley Lake: 5 grandchildren, Heather Etter, Justin Etter, Caleb Etter, Esther (Mathew) With, and Doug (Jennifer) Elrod; 11 great-grandchildren; and 5 step great-grandchildren. 

She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; 12 siblings; and 2 grandsons, Eric Etter and Kenneth Elrod. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Norma Jean (Burk) Birkenholtz, please visit our floral store.