Alice Birkeland

ALICE BIRKELAND was born on September 9, 1930 to Frederick and Alvina (Bauman) Sternberg in Western Township, Ottertail County, Minnesota. She was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Ottertail County and attended country school in Ottertail and Wilkin Counties. Alice graduated from Campbell High School in Campbell, Minnesota in 1948. She attended college in Fargo, North Dakota, East Grand Forks and Mayville, North Dakota, and Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She then taught in rural schools in North Dakota and Minnesota, later was a substitute teacher in Luverne, Minnesota. On June 12, 1955 Alice was united in marriage to Thomas Birkeland at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Ottertail County. Following their marriage the couple made their home northeast of Luverne at the base of the cliffs of Blue Mound State Park and raised their five children. Tom preceded her in death July 21, 2010. Alice resided at their home until the spring of 2014 when she moved to Poplar Creek assisted living facility in Luverne. Following spending a wonderful day with her daughters and several visitors, Alice died peacefully on Thursday, November 26, 2015 at the Sanford Luverne Hospice Cottage at the age of 85 years, two months and 17 days.

Alice was an active member of Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne. She taught Sunday School and Release School, served as GLCW president and worked on various boards at church. She was also a member of the Luverne Tourist Club. Alice was an avid furniture refinisher. She enjoyed buying and selling antiques and collectables found at garage sales, auctions, flea markets while at the same time, holding sales of her own.

Alice is lovingly remembered by her four children, Teresa Ziebarth and her husband, Duane Hemme of Lakeville, Minnesota, Melissa Lage of Audubon, Minnesota, Tim Birkeland and his wife, Lisa of Prior Lake, Minnesota and Terry Birkeland and his wife, Tori of Prior Lake; six grandchildren, Stephanie and Sam Lage, Erika, Nick, and Isaak Birkeland, and Kellie Ziebarth; two brothers, Ed Sternberg of Port Charlotte, Florida and Walter Sternberg and his wife, Res of Lakeville; and other family and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Tom; son, Todd Birkeland; parents, Frederick and Alvina; three brothers, Herman, Arthur and Frederick Sternberg; and two sisters, Elizabeth Raguse and Eleanor Lade.

Memorials may be directed to Grace Lutheran Church (Building Fund) or Sanford Luverne Hospice Cottage.