Betty L. (Garhart) Birkel was born March 5, 1953, to Albert and Rose (Hansen) Garhart in O’Neill.
On Oct. 5, 1970, Betty was united in marriage to Leo Birkel in York She worked at Seward Memorial Hospital in laundry and housekeeping and later for Sunrise Country Manor and Kinship Pointe as a CNA and med aide. In her free time, she enjoyed true crime documentaries, fictional murder mystery shows, reading mystery books, doing word searches, Betty Boop and shopping. She especially enjoyed spending time with her family Betty passed away Aug. 27, 2023, in Seward, at the age of 70 years.
Betty is survived by her children, Bonnie (Doug) Luethke of Milford, Mike (Bobbie Jo) Birkel of Garland, and Joshua Birkel of Seward; grandchildren, Joey (Emily) Birkel, Racquel Luethke, Alex Birkel, Chase Birkel, Dustin Luethke, Caine Birkel, Leo Birkel Bailey and Alando Birkel; great-grandchildren, James and Liam Birkel and baby girl Birkel expected in October; siblings, Terry Garhart, Tommy Garhart, Karen Neal, Lucy Urban and Carol Nyreen. Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Leo Birkel; son, Matthew Birkel; parents, Albert and Rose Garhart; and siblings, James Garhart and George Garhart.
Signing of the remembrance book will be Thursday, Aug. 31, from 1 – 5 p.m. at Volzke Funeral Home. A memorial service is Friday, Sept. 1, at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home with committal in the Greenwood Cemetery. Arrangements by Volzke Funeral Home.
