Steven J. Birkmann

Steven J. Birkmann

KEARNEY -- Steven J. Birkmann, 58, of Kearney, died Friday (Nov. 23, 2001) at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney.

He was born April 5, 1943, at Lincoln to Elmer F. and Savilla Marie (Myer) Birkmann. He graduated from University High School at Lincoln in 1961. He attended the University of Nebraska until 1964 when he entered the service.

He served in the U.S. Army until he was discharged in 1967 and moved to Kearney.

On Nov. 24, 1974, he married Lana L. Vandament at Arapahoe. They lived in Kearney where he was employed in the transportation department at Cash-Wa Distributing until he retired on June 29, 2001.

He was a member of the First Lutheran Church and Alcoholics Anonymous. He was preceded in death by his parents; and his father-in-law Robert Vandament.

Survivors include his wife, Lana of Kearney; three daughters, Misti Birkmann of Ames, Iowa, Kristie Bridges and husband, Matt of Lincoln, and Karmin Birkmann of Lincoln; one brother, Richard Birkmann of Aurora, Colo.; his mother-in-law, Irene Vandament of Arapahoe; two sisters-in-law, Bonnie Kimberly of Holdrege, and Linda Hamel and husband, Mark of Arapahoe; one brother-in-law, Jim Vandament and wife, Donna of Coweta, Okla.; and two grandchildren.

Services will be Wednesday, 10 a.m., at the First Lutheran Church of Kearney with the Revs. Jack Balaban and Jer Gilbreath officiating. Graveside services and interment will be at 2 p.m. at the Arapahoe Cemetery in Arapahoe.

Visitation will be Tuesday, 4 to 8:30 p.m., at the Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary in Kearney, and until the time of the service Wednesday at the church.

Memorials may be given in his name to the First Lutheran Church, the Good Samaritan Hospital Cancer Fund, or the American Cancer Society.

Horner-Lieske-Horner Mortuary is in charge of the arrangements.