Birdie E. Coburn, age 85 of Brooklyn, died Sunday morning, February 15, 2009 at Brooklyn Community Estates, following a brief illness. Funeral Services: 10:30 A.M. Thursday, February 19, 2009, Kloster Funeral Home, Brooklyn, Iowa with Rev. John Reynolds officiating. Inurnment will be at a later date. Friends may call from 4 to 7 P.M. Wednesday, February 18, 2009 at Kloster Funeral Home, Brooklyn. A memorial fund has been established.

She is survived by her children, Donnette Williams and husband George of Greencastle, IN, Birdeen Minnich and husband Larry of Garwin, IA, and Don Coburn and wife Donnette of Brooklyn; eight grandchildren, Angela Himschoot (Toby Edwards) of Grinnell, Rick Himschoot (Mellissa) of Williamsburg, Chad Coburn (Crystal) of Victor, Cindy White (Mike) of Greencastle, IN, Carla McClenathan (Roger) of Brooklyn, Joshua Coburn (Michelle) of Montezuma, Jessie Lacaeyse (Joel) of Montezuma and Stephanie Kalinay of Roland, IA; 11 great-grandchildren and 19 bonus great- grandchildren. Also surviving is a sister, Patsy Picknell of Eldon, MO, two sister-in-laws, Rosemary Kibbee of Grinnell and Frances Kibbee of Newton and many special nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Donald, a daughter Doneen, two brothers, Earl and Harold Kibbee and twin grandsons, Mark and Joel Williams.

Birdie Emeline Kibbee was born May 22, 1923 in Blue Earth, Minnesota, the daughter of Edmund and Gladys Thomas Kibbee. She graduated from Brooklyn High School in 1942. She was employed as a “Rosie the Riveter” during World War II in California. Upon returning to Iowa she worked as a waitress at the Dutch Inn and worked at the Grinnell Glove Factory. Birdie married Donald A. Coburn on January 23, 1948 at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, IA. She was a wonderful wife, mother, and grandmother, and kept a loving home. Birdie was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, the Presbyterian Church in Brooklyn and Friends of the Library. She enjoyed oil painting, bowling, square dancing, sewing and “giving hugs”. She was one of the “Southside Twins” a tap-dancing and yodeling pair, a Cub Scout leader, Campfire Girls leader and a Sunday School teacher.