The Mass of Christian Burial celebrating the life of Howard “Howie” Birr, 85, of Albany, will be at 11 a.m. Friday, July 26, 2024, at Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Albany. Burial will be in the parish cemetery.
Howard died July 18 at Serenity Village in Avon after battling cancer and finally dementia.
There will be a visitation 4-8 p.m. Thursday, July 25, at Miller-Carlin Funeral Home in Albany and after 10 a.m. July 26 at the church. Seven Dolors parish prayers will be at 4 p.m. July 25 at the funeral home.
Howard was born March 29, 1939, in Farming Township in rural Albany. He grew up on the family farm, and when he was 13 years old, his father died and Howard took over the farm. He spent the rest of his life farming in the Albany area. He married Donna Maile Aug. 14, 1965, at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church in Avon. The couple purchased a second farm, and Howard farmed both farms until retiring at age 80.
He enjoyed listening to old time music, and he loved dancing and playing solitaire on the computer. He especially loved spending time with his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He was a member of Seven Dolors Catholic Church and Catholic Aid.
Howard is survived by his wife, Donna Birr of Albany; his nine children; Louella (Tom) Kaufer of Vadnais Heights, Lynn (Cari Sprague) Birr of Linwood, Lora (Burt) Dahle of Champlin, Loren (Sara) Birr of Albany, Billie Jo (Mike) Norgaard of Crystal; Glen (Tina) Birr of Avon, Patricia (Daryl) Davis of Minneapolis, Donald (Christina) Birr of Holdingford; and Anthony (Haley) Birr of Albany; 22 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and his sister, Irene Jochum of Albany.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Lorraine Funkhouser and Myrtle Bittner; and his brother, Donald Birr.
The family would like to thank the staff at Serenity Village in Avon and the staff from Moments Hospice.
