Lynn D. Birkley

Lynn D. Birkley, 92, of Ponca, NE passed away on Friday, October 26, 2012 at a Sioux City hospital.Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Wednesday, October 31, 2012 at Salem Lutheran Church in Ponca, NE with Rev. Dr. Bud Christenson officiating. Burial will be in Silver Ridge Cemetery in rural Ponca, with military rites conducted by the Ponca American Legion Post #117. Visitation will begin at 5:00 P.M., with the family present at 6:00 P.M. and a prayer service at 7:00 P.M. on Tuesday, October 30, 2012 at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Mohr Funeral Home in Ponca.Lynn was born in rural Maskell, NE on August 16, 1920, the son of Ole and Josie (Johnson) Birkley. He was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Maskell. He attended school in Maskell. Lynn moved to Chicago, where he made roller skate wheels for Ware Bros. for two years before being drafted into the Army. He served in the Army from November 3, 1942 through December 31, 1945 during World War II. He served with the 381st Infantry, 96th Division in the Pacific Theater in the Philippines as a member of the light machine gun crews. Lynn earned the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. After the service he farmed north of Jackson, NE. Lynn married Edna Arends on January 1, 1962 at Salem Lutheran Church in Ponca. The couple continued to farm north of Jackson until they retired and moved into Ponca in 1984. Lynn worked at various greenhouses during his retirement years.He was a member of Salem Lutheran Church in Ponca, where he served on the church council. He was also a member of the Ponca American Legion Post #117 and was a longtime member of the Ponca Garden Club.He was very proud of his Norwegian heritage. His great passion in life had been his love of gardening and flowers. Retirement allowed him to devote much time and energy for the small plots for flowers around town. Each little petal meant so much to him - a little flower here, or a little flower there. He became known as the "Flower Man" and found great joy in sharing God's natural bounty with his fellow neighbors and friends.Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Edna Birkley of Ponca, NE; brother, Milo "Mike" (Phyllis) Birkley of Jackson, NE; sister, Mardell (Merle) Kurtz of Cushing, IA; and many nieces and nephews.Lynn was preceded in death by his parents, Ole and Josie Birkley; brothers and sisters-in-law, Dale (Evelyn) Birkley, Ray (Joyce) Birkley, Joe (Janet) Birkley and Wally (Joy) Birkley.