MARY MARGARET (SCHMITT) BIRR

Mrs. Willard Birr, 61, of 2800 36th St., Two Rivers, passed into eternal happiness and peace after a struggle with cancer Monday evening, Nov. 26, at home.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Thursday at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, Two Rivers. The Mass of Resurrection will be concelebrated by the Most Rev. Bishop Adam Maida, Most Rev. Bishop Robert Morneau, Most Rev. Bishop Mark Schmitt, Most Rev. Bishop A. Wycislo, her two brothers, Father Leo Schmitt, Father John Schmitt and also these Fathers, Jerry Taddy, Paul Schumacher, Bill Kuhr, Roy Geenan, Dan Felton, James Stamborski, Phil Hoffman, Bill Zimmer, John Neuser, Dick Klingheisen, John Blaha, Father Keller, John allagher, Mitch Weber, Donald Marquardt, Robert Rhyner, Harold Berryman, Thomas Allan, Msgr. Alfred Schneider, and Msgr. James Deitt and burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Two Rivers.

Mrs. Birr was born Sept. 19, 1923 at Two Rivers, daughter of the late Henry and Anna Geimer Schmitt. She attended St. Luke Parochial School and Washington High School graduating in 1941. Mrs. Birr taught religious education at Holy Redeemer, St. Luke's, St. Mark, Holy Innocents, Vacation Bible School and the mentally handicapped. She had given numerous talks on prayer and living with cancer to Women Aglow, cancer support groups, Holy Innocents Women's Club, Serra Club, Green Bay Diocese Cursillo's and has been active in St. Mary Charismatic Prayer Group. Mrs. Birr was a leader at Holy Redeemer Renew Prayer Group. She was well known throughout the Green Bay Diocese for catering for meetings of the Clergy.

Survivors include her husband; six sons; five daughters; seven brothers; five sisters; sisters-in-law; 23 grandchildren and 83 nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a son, James and four brothers.

Friends may call at Deja and Martin Funeral Chapels, Two Rivers, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday, where a memorial service will be 7 p.m.

Herald Times Reporter, November 27, 1984

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Mary Margaret (Schmitt) Birr, b.19 Sep 1923, d.26 Nov 1984 b. 1623 18th Street, Two Rivers, WI Dau. of Henry John and Anna Katherine (Geimer) Schmitt Wife of Willard Elden Birr
Solemn High Mass at St. Luke's was Mary Schmitt and Willard Birr

Wed Wedding - Two Rivers Reporter, Dec. 27, 1943

Three brothers of the bride officiated at the solemn high mass at St. Luke's Catholic church this morning at 10:30, when Miss Mary Margaret Schmitt, daughter of Mrs. Henry Schmitt, 1623 18th St., pledged her vows with Willard E. Birr, pharmacist's mate second class, who is stationed at Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, Calif. The bridegroom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Birr, 1504 Jefferson St. The Rev. Henry Schmitt came from Gresham, Wis., to be the celebrant of the nuptial mass. The Rev. Leo J. Schmitt of Allouez, Wis., was deacon, and John P. Schmitt, who is studying for the priesthood at St. Francis seminary was sub-deacon at the double ring ceremony.

Carrying white poinsettias with holly, and a silver rosary, the bride wore a white moire taffeta gown fashioned with a sweetheart neckline, long sleeves coming to points over her hands, and a bouffant skirt which fell from a wasp waistline. Lace inserts beginning at the waist extended to the hemline of the skirt. Her fingertip veil was held by a tiara of flowers.

During the Offertory, Panis Angelicus was sung by James and Joseph Schmitt, brothers of the bride, with Raymond Schmitt, the bride's brother, at the organ.

Miss Kathryn A. Schmitt was her sister's maid of honor and Frank Gorski was the best man. Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Birr, brother and sister-in-law of the groom, were the other attending couple.

Miss Schmitt's frock of pink net over taffeta was made with a sweetheart neckline, short puffed sleeves, fitted waist, and full skirt. Mrs. Birr's gown was styled with the same heart neckline, short cuffed sleeves, and graceful skirt. Both attendants carried white pompoms, and wore sprigs of holly in their hair.

Following the ceremony, the newlyweds greeted relatives and friends at a reception at the bride's home where a dinner was also served for the immediate families.

The couple will leave on a wedding trip this evening. Pharmacist's Mate Birr, who is attached to the medical corps in the U.S. Marines will return to Camp Pendleton, Calif., on December 30. Mrs. Birr will continue to make her home here with her mother, and will continue her employment at the Schmitt Lumber company.

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Mother of 13 Enrolls as Part-Time Student

Herald Times Reporter, Two Rivers, WI Summer 1969

How does a woman with 13 children ranging in age from two to 24 find time to pursue a college education?

Mrs. Willard (Mary) Birr has the answer to that question. On Sept. 2 she will return to the Manitowoc County Campus of the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay as a part-time student to continue a college career that started ten years ago.

Mrs. Birr is one of six UWGB students who have qualified for Conrad-Grubb scholarships for 1969-70. Others receiving grants for part-time college work include three students at the Green Bay and two students at the Fox Valley-Menasha campuses.

Conrad-Grubb grants cover enrollment fees for part-time students carrying an undergraduate course load of no more than six credits, or the equivalent in credit or non-credit courses offered by University Extension, during the period September 1969 through August 1970. Recipients are chosen on the basis of educational goals, financial need, and probability of success.

It's a small wonder that Mrs. Birr finds time for a formal education. But she manages, she says, by scheduling each full day on a first-things-first basis with her home receiving top priority.

Mrs. Birr always dreamed of going on to college but never had the opportunity. In 1956-60, after having her 10th child, she decided to enroll in one English course each semester at the Manitowoc Campus.

After four years and with another addition to the family, Mrs. Birr decided to study children's and young adult's literature at Holy Family College. Both courses
proved to be successful in the Birr household. While Mrs. Birr read and learned her children enjoyed pleasant bedtime stories.

During the 1968-69 school year at the Manitowoc Campus, Mrs. Birr took sociology and philosophy. This year she plans to study Man and His Environment and Crisis in Belief and Ecology, a liberal education seminar. Mrs. Birr is still scheduling and planning for the rest of her education. When her two-year-old is ready for kindergarten she hopes to attend classes full time, and eventually graduate.

Until that day, Mrs. Birr will be busy devoting most of her time to her family. At present, 10 of her 13 children are at home. The oldest, Ann, 21, is married and lives in Port Washington. Michael is 22 and a junior at Marquette University, Milwaukee. Nineteen-year-old Thomas is in the Army, stationed in Vietnam. Of the remaining 10 children, one will be a freshman at the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay, three are in high school, five in grade school, and one is of the pre-school age.

What did Mrs. Birr do with with her extra time this summer? She spent a good portion of each busy morning at Bible School teaching sixth graders as part of an ecumenical program in Two Rivers. Classes attempted to present basic Christian principles rather than specific beliefs and procedures of the various religions. Mrs.
Birr thoroughly enjoyed each session and felt her students were the finest and most enthusiastic in the program.

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Herald Times Reporter, November 27, 1984

Mrs. Willard Birr, 61, of 2800 36th St., Two Rivers, passed into eternal happiness and peace after a struggle with cancer Monday evening, Nov. 26, at home.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Thursday at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, Two Rivers. The Mass of Resurrection will be concelebrated by the Most Rev. Bishop Adam Maida, Most Rev. Bishop Robert Morneau, Most Rev. Bishop Mark Schmitt, Most Rev. Bishop A. Wycislo, her two brothers, Father Leo Schmitt, Father John Schmitt and also these Fathers, Jerry Taddy, Paul Schumacher, Bill Kuhr, Roy Geenan, Dan Felton, James Stamborski, Phil Hoffman, Bill Zimmer, John Neuser, Dick Klingheisen, John Blaha, Father Keller, John Gallagher, Mitch Weber, Donald Marquardt, Robert Rhyner, Harold Berryman, Thomas Allan, Msgr. Alfred Schneider, and Msgr. James De itt and burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Two Rivers.

Mrs. Birr was born Sept. 19, 1923 at Two Rivers, daughter of the late Henry and Anna Geimer Schmitt. She attended St. Luke Parochial School and Washington High School graduating in 1941. Mrs. Birr taught religious education at Holy Redeemer, St. Luke's, St. Mark, Holy Innocents, Vacation Bible School and the mentally handicapped. She had given numerous talks on prayer and living with cancer to Women Aglow, cancer support groups, Holy Innocents Women's Club, Serra Club, Green Bay Diocese Cursillo's and has been active in St. Mary Charismatic Prayer Group. Mrs. Birr was a leader at Holy Redeemer Renew Prayer Group. She was well known throughout the Green Bay Diocese for catering for meetings of the Clergy.

Survivors include her husband, six sons, five daughters, seven brothers, five sisters, 23 grandchildren and 83 nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a son, James and four brothers.

Friends may call at Deja and Martin Funeral Chapels, Two Rivers, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday, where a memorial service will be 7 p.m.

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City Cemetery records say burial date: 11-29-1964/Age:61

Birth date & Death month confirmed with SSDI

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Wisconsin Death Index, 1959-1997
Name: Mary Birr
Death Date: 26 Nov 1984
Location: Manitowoc (May be abbreviated)
Certificate: 028003