Obituary: Mae Birnschein

Mae Birnschein, age 90, died Sunday, May 29, 2016 to reunite with her late husband, Arthur, with whom she’s been apart from for almost 32 years.

Mae Louise Robinson was born to William and Lilly Robinson on December 14, 1925 and lived in Jacksonport most of her life. She married Arthur August Birnschein on January 27, 1945; they purchased a farm in Jacksonport where they raised six children. She was a hardworking woman on the farm, milking cows, taking care of her family, gardening, and working summers at Gordon Lodge as a housekeeper. Upon retirement, she moved to Sturgeon Bay where she has resided for several years. She loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She always had a good story to share from her past and some pretty awesome cookies too. It was an extra special treat to hear her play her organ which she played by ear without music as recently as June, 2015. She was a member of St. John Ev. Lutheran Church in Valmy and was in choir and Ladies Aide. She enjoyed attending church; June 5, 2015 was the last service she was physically able to attend.

Mae’s family includes her six children, Lester (Barb)Birnschein, Jacksonport, Darrel Birnschein, Jacksonport, Ken (Liz) Birnschein, Valmy, Janet Sawyer, Institute, Richard (Patty) Birnschein, Carlsville, and Carla (Jim) Schwartz, Forestville. She also is survived by 15 grandchildren, Keith (Jaci), Corey, Robert, Brett (Rachael), Kelly, Sara (Terry), Bryan (Ann), Tom, Jon (Krista), April (Dennis), Stacy (Craig), Kevin (Olga), Briana, Bradley and Ariel; 26 great-grandchildren and one on the way; sisters-in-law, Joyce (late Warren) Halstead, Eileen (late Everett) Roberts, and Janet (late Robert) Birnschein; many nieces and nephews; and cousins.

Mae was preceded in death by her parents; husband; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Bruno and Augusta Birnschein; her brothers and sisters, Kenneth Robinson, Sarah Belle (Sally) Voeks, Margaret Gallagher, and Joseph (Joe) Robinson and their spouses; son-in-law, Ed Sawyer; sister-in-law, Carol Halstead and Brother-In-Law Robert Birnschein;  many aunts and uncles; nieces and nephews; and cousins.

Funeral services were held Thursday, June 2. She will be laid to rest at the St. John Ev. Lutheran Church cemetery  in Valmy.

Memorials may be given for St. John Ev. Lutheran Church.

“Our family would like to thank Dr. Richard Hogan, Whispering Heights, and the Golden Living Center-Dorchester for the wonderful care, true compassion, and genuine love Mom was given the past several years.”

Condolences and guestbook signing may be offered at www.huehnsfuneralhome.com.