Weston “Wes” D. Birdsall, age 93, of Osage, passed away Friday, December 5, 2014, at Osage Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Osage. Cremation has taken place. Memorial services will be held at a later date.
Wes was born in Cleveland, Ohio on December 28, 1920, the son of Albert B. and Mary Helen (McCreery) Birdsall. He graduated as valedictorian from Brecksville (Ohio) High School in 1938 and went on to graduate from Ohio State University in 1942 with a B.S. in Education. He also received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Nebraska in 1949. Wes served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He married Anne Marie Wodder on May 29, 1943 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Kronborg, Nebraska. To this union were born five children: Susanne, Sonne, Scott, Shan, and Steven.
Wes was employed by Phillips Petroleum in Des Moines, moving to Osage in 1953 to become a partner in Davidson’s Gas and Electric. From 1972 to 1992 Wes served as general manager of Osage Municipal Utilities and became known state-, nation-, and worldwide for his innovative energy conservation measures. After retirement from OMU he taught classes on energy conservation at the University of Northern Iowa.
Wes was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church where he served as president of the congregation and usher. He was a founding member of the Osage Rotary Club, served on the board at Home Trust Bank and was a member at Sunny Brae Golf and Country Club. His hobbies and interests included woodworking, collecting antique tools, environment and energy conservation, planting trees (by the thousands!), golfing, opera and Anne’s music (and sometimes his kids’!) and attending his children’s and grandchildren’s (and a few great-grandchildren’s) activities.
Wes will be remembered by his family as an awesome dad, husband, grandpa, great-grandpa, son, and brother. He instilled his love of nature in his kids and grandkids, and was an amazing example of generosity, stewardship, and grace. His sense of humor is legendary, and he could make everyone feel comfortable and at ease. His faith in and love for his Lord, Jesus, was evident in every area of his life. He loved his wife, Anne, with an uncommon love that lasted more than seven decades. His kids, grandkids, and greats, will remember silly readings of “Strega Nona”, games of “bear”, planting and trimming trees, exploring the woods, and building stuff out of wood in the basement workshop. Wes will be remembered in the community as a pioneer and leader in the area of conservation, a leader in his church, an average duffer, an honest and forthright businessman, and a proud Rotarian. He will be missed by all. Wes and Anne lived on an acreage overlooking the Cedar River and the golf course until 2010 when they moved to Apple Valley. They were residents at Osage Rehab from 2012 until present.
Wes is survived by his wife of 71 years, Anne Birdsall; children, Sonne (Pat Doyle) Nielsen of Floyd, IA, Scott (Debra) Birdsall of Winona, MN, and Shan (Tammy) Birdsall of Salt Springs, FL; daughter-in-law, Julie Birdsall of Windsor, CO; grandchildren, Aaron (Alyssa) Granquist of North Liberty, IA, Laura Schotanus of Osage, Matthew (Sarah) Granquist of Burlington, IA, Emily (Nick) Weber of Denver, CO, Erin (Solomon) Miller of Loveland, CO, Joseph Birdsall of Milwaukee, WI, Bethany Birdsall of Madrid, Spain, Jonathan Birdsall of Iowa City, IA and Tayler Birdsall of Windsor, CO; great-grandchildren, Mitchell Schotanus, Sydney and Will Granquist, Ava and Kora Granquist, Weston and Emma Weber, and Josie and Abraham Miller; siblings Clifford (Maggie Boschert) Birdsall of Punta Gorda, FL, and Janet Temple of Santa Rosa, CA, and sister-in-law Ruth Wodder of Lincoln, NE.
Wes was preceded in death by his parents; Mary Helen McCreery Birdsall and Albert Barton Birdsall; great-grandson, Cole Granquist; daughter, Susanne Baty; son, Steven Birdsall; and son-in-law, Corliss Baty.
Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home 641-732-3706
Wes was born in Cleveland, Ohio on December 28, 1920, the son of Albert B. and Mary Helen (McCreery) Birdsall. He graduated as valedictorian from Brecksville (Ohio) High School in 1938 and went on to graduate from Ohio State University in 1942 with a B.S. in Education. He also received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Nebraska in 1949. Wes served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He married Anne Marie Wodder on May 29, 1943 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Kronborg, Nebraska. To this union were born five children: Susanne, Sonne, Scott, Shan, and Steven.
Wes was employed by Phillips Petroleum in Des Moines, moving to Osage in 1953 to become a partner in Davidson’s Gas and Electric. From 1972 to 1992 Wes served as general manager of Osage Municipal Utilities and became known state-, nation-, and worldwide for his innovative energy conservation measures. After retirement from OMU he taught classes on energy conservation at the University of Northern Iowa.
Wes was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church where he served as president of the congregation and usher. He was a founding member of the Osage Rotary Club, served on the board at Home Trust Bank and was a member at Sunny Brae Golf and Country Club. His hobbies and interests included woodworking, collecting antique tools, environment and energy conservation, planting trees (by the thousands!), golfing, opera and Anne’s music (and sometimes his kids’!) and attending his children’s and grandchildren’s (and a few great-grandchildren’s) activities.
Wes will be remembered by his family as an awesome dad, husband, grandpa, great-grandpa, son, and brother. He instilled his love of nature in his kids and grandkids, and was an amazing example of generosity, stewardship, and grace. His sense of humor is legendary, and he could make everyone feel comfortable and at ease. His faith in and love for his Lord, Jesus, was evident in every area of his life. He loved his wife, Anne, with an uncommon love that lasted more than seven decades. His kids, grandkids, and greats, will remember silly readings of “Strega Nona”, games of “bear”, planting and trimming trees, exploring the woods, and building stuff out of wood in the basement workshop. Wes will be remembered in the community as a pioneer and leader in the area of conservation, a leader in his church, an average duffer, an honest and forthright businessman, and a proud Rotarian. He will be missed by all. Wes and Anne lived on an acreage overlooking the Cedar River and the golf course until 2010 when they moved to Apple Valley. They were residents at Osage Rehab from 2012 until present.
Wes is survived by his wife of 71 years, Anne Birdsall; children, Sonne (Pat Doyle) Nielsen of Floyd, IA, Scott (Debra) Birdsall of Winona, MN, and Shan (Tammy) Birdsall of Salt Springs, FL; daughter-in-law, Julie Birdsall of Windsor, CO; grandchildren, Aaron (Alyssa) Granquist of North Liberty, IA, Laura Schotanus of Osage, Matthew (Sarah) Granquist of Burlington, IA, Emily (Nick) Weber of Denver, CO, Erin (Solomon) Miller of Loveland, CO, Joseph Birdsall of Milwaukee, WI, Bethany Birdsall of Madrid, Spain, Jonathan Birdsall of Iowa City, IA and Tayler Birdsall of Windsor, CO; great-grandchildren, Mitchell Schotanus, Sydney and Will Granquist, Ava and Kora Granquist, Weston and Emma Weber, and Josie and Abraham Miller; siblings Clifford (Maggie Boschert) Birdsall of Punta Gorda, FL, and Janet Temple of Santa Rosa, CA, and sister-in-law Ruth Wodder of Lincoln, NE.
Wes was preceded in death by his parents; Mary Helen McCreery Birdsall and Albert Barton Birdsall; great-grandson, Cole Granquist; daughter, Susanne Baty; son, Steven Birdsall; and son-in-law, Corliss Baty.
Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home 641-732-3706
Weston “Wes” D. Birdsall, age 93, of Osage, passed away Friday, December 5, 2014, at Osage Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Osage. Cremation has taken place. Memorial services will be held at a later date.
Wes was born in Cleveland, Ohio on December 28, 1920, the son of Albert B. and Mary Helen (McCreery) Birdsall. He graduated as valedictorian from Brecksville (Ohio) High School in 1938 and went on to graduate from Ohio State University in 1942 with a B.S. in Education. He also received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Nebraska in 1949. Wes served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He married Anne Marie Wodder on May 29, 1943 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Kronborg, Nebraska. To this union were born five children: Susanne, Sonne, Scott, Shan, and Steven.
Wes was employed by Phillips Petroleum in Des Moines, moving to Osage in 1953 to become a partner in Davidson’s Gas and Electric. From 1972 to 1992 Wes served as general manager of Osage Municipal Utilities and became known state-, nation-, and worldwide for his innovative energy conservation measures. After retirement from OMU he taught classes on energy conservation at the University of Northern Iowa.
Wes was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church where he served as president of the congregation and usher. He was a founding member of the Osage Rotary Club, served on the board at Home Trust Bank and was a member at Sunny Brae Golf and Country Club. His hobbies and interests included woodworking, collecting antique tools, environment and energy conservation, planting trees (by the thousands!), golfing, opera and Anne’s music (and sometimes his kids’!) and attending his children’s and grandchildren’s (and a few great-grandchildren’s) activities.
Wes will be remembered by his family as an awesome dad, husband, grandpa, great-grandpa, son, and brother. He instilled his love of nature in his kids and grandkids, and was an amazing example of generosity, stewardship, and grace. His sense of humor is legendary, and he could make everyone feel comfortable and at ease. His faith in and love for his Lord, Jesus, was evident in every area of his life. He loved his wife, Anne, with an uncommon love that lasted more than seven decades. His kids, grandkids, and greats, will remember silly readings of “Strega Nona”, games of “bear”, planting and trimming trees, exploring the woods, and building stuff out of wood in the basement workshop. Wes will be remembered in the community as a pioneer and leader in the area of conservation, a leader in his church, an average duffer, an honest and forthright businessman, and a proud Rotarian. He will be missed by all. Wes and Anne lived on an acreage overlooking the Cedar River and the golf course until 2010 when they moved to Apple Valley. They were residents at Osage Rehab from 2012 until present.
Wes is survived by his wife of 71 years, Anne Birdsall; children, Sonne (Pat Doyle) Nielsen of Floyd, IA, Scott (Debra) Birdsall of Winona, MN, and Shan (Tammy) Birdsall of Salt Springs, FL; daughter-in-law, Julie Birdsall of Windsor, CO; grandchildren, Aaron (Alyssa) Granquist of North Liberty, IA, Laura Schotanus of Osage, Matthew (Sarah) Granquist of Burlington, IA, Emily (Nick) Weber of Denver, CO, Erin (Solomon) Miller of Loveland, CO, Joseph Birdsall of Milwaukee, WI, Bethany Birdsall of Madrid, Spain, Jonathan Birdsall of Iowa City, IA and Tayler Birdsall of Windsor, CO; great-grandchildren, Mitchell Schotanus, Sydney and Will Granquist, Ava and Kora Granquist, Weston and Emma Weber, and Josie and Abraham Miller; siblings Clifford (Maggie Boschert) Birdsall of Punta Gorda, FL, and Janet Temple of Santa Rosa, CA, and sister-in-law Ruth Wodder of Lincoln, NE.
Wes was preceded in death by his parents; Mary Helen McCreery Birdsall and Albert Barton Birdsall; great-grandson, Cole Granquist; daughter, Susanne Baty; son, Steven Birdsall; and son-in-law, Corliss Baty.
Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home 641-732-3706
Wes was born in Cleveland, Ohio on December 28, 1920, the son of Albert B. and Mary Helen (McCreery) Birdsall. He graduated as valedictorian from Brecksville (Ohio) High School in 1938 and went on to graduate from Ohio State University in 1942 with a B.S. in Education. He also received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Nebraska in 1949. Wes served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He married Anne Marie Wodder on May 29, 1943 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Kronborg, Nebraska. To this union were born five children: Susanne, Sonne, Scott, Shan, and Steven.
Wes was employed by Phillips Petroleum in Des Moines, moving to Osage in 1953 to become a partner in Davidson’s Gas and Electric. From 1972 to 1992 Wes served as general manager of Osage Municipal Utilities and became known state-, nation-, and worldwide for his innovative energy conservation measures. After retirement from OMU he taught classes on energy conservation at the University of Northern Iowa.
Wes was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church where he served as president of the congregation and usher. He was a founding member of the Osage Rotary Club, served on the board at Home Trust Bank and was a member at Sunny Brae Golf and Country Club. His hobbies and interests included woodworking, collecting antique tools, environment and energy conservation, planting trees (by the thousands!), golfing, opera and Anne’s music (and sometimes his kids’!) and attending his children’s and grandchildren’s (and a few great-grandchildren’s) activities.
Wes will be remembered by his family as an awesome dad, husband, grandpa, great-grandpa, son, and brother. He instilled his love of nature in his kids and grandkids, and was an amazing example of generosity, stewardship, and grace. His sense of humor is legendary, and he could make everyone feel comfortable and at ease. His faith in and love for his Lord, Jesus, was evident in every area of his life. He loved his wife, Anne, with an uncommon love that lasted more than seven decades. His kids, grandkids, and greats, will remember silly readings of “Strega Nona”, games of “bear”, planting and trimming trees, exploring the woods, and building stuff out of wood in the basement workshop. Wes will be remembered in the community as a pioneer and leader in the area of conservation, a leader in his church, an average duffer, an honest and forthright businessman, and a proud Rotarian. He will be missed by all. Wes and Anne lived on an acreage overlooking the Cedar River and the golf course until 2010 when they moved to Apple Valley. They were residents at Osage Rehab from 2012 until present.
Wes is survived by his wife of 71 years, Anne Birdsall; children, Sonne (Pat Doyle) Nielsen of Floyd, IA, Scott (Debra) Birdsall of Winona, MN, and Shan (Tammy) Birdsall of Salt Springs, FL; daughter-in-law, Julie Birdsall of Windsor, CO; grandchildren, Aaron (Alyssa) Granquist of North Liberty, IA, Laura Schotanus of Osage, Matthew (Sarah) Granquist of Burlington, IA, Emily (Nick) Weber of Denver, CO, Erin (Solomon) Miller of Loveland, CO, Joseph Birdsall of Milwaukee, WI, Bethany Birdsall of Madrid, Spain, Jonathan Birdsall of Iowa City, IA and Tayler Birdsall of Windsor, CO; great-grandchildren, Mitchell Schotanus, Sydney and Will Granquist, Ava and Kora Granquist, Weston and Emma Weber, and Josie and Abraham Miller; siblings Clifford (Maggie Boschert) Birdsall of Punta Gorda, FL, and Janet Temple of Santa Rosa, CA, and sister-in-law Ruth Wodder of Lincoln, NE.
Wes was preceded in death by his parents; Mary Helen McCreery Birdsall and Albert Barton Birdsall; great-grandson, Cole Granquist; daughter, Susanne Baty; son, Steven Birdsall; and son-in-law, Corliss Baty.
Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home 641-732-3706
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