On October 16, 2013, Carole H. Birr, 85, of 2018 N. 19th St., didn't walk into the loving arms of her waiting Savior, she ran. Her steps were no longer hindered by the debilitating effects of Parkinson's Disease. Born September 30, 1928, in Sheboygan, Carole was a daughter of the late Herman and Adeline Herrbold Zahn. Carole attended St. Paul's Ev. Lutheran School and graduated from Central High School, class of 1946. It was at Central High School, where in Carole's junior year, she was moved from the back of the classroom for excessive talking and was seated in the front row next to Marvin Birr, the young man who was to become the love of her life. On March 31, 1948, Marvin and Carole joined their hands together in Holy Matrimony, vowing never to let go. They kept that vow and never did let go until Carole's hand slipped from Marvin's hand as Jesus came to take her home. Carole was employed as a school secretary at St. Paul's Lutheran School. She cherished the staff and the opportunity to comfort and tend to little children with scraped knees and tummy aches. She also worked as a Medical Secretary for Dr. Steven O'Donnell and was employed as a Medical Secretary for Dr. James Kuplic until the time of her retirement. It was at Dr. Kuplic's office where she also treasured the many friendships she forged for a lifetime. Carole was a faithful and lifelong member of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church and was President of the Mother's Club. She cherished her faith and her family. Carole gently lead by example to her children and grandchildren as how to serve the Lord by helping others, through kindness, gentleness and compassion. Carole would be the closest her family would get to seeing an angel on earth. Marvin, Carole and her family enjoyed many summers at their cottage on Pelican Lake. Through her love of cooking, twilight bonfires and evening stories on the sun porch, she made a house into a home. Carole loved a steaming bowl of chili on a crisp autumn day or any day for that matter. Although it will be heartbreaking for her family to let her go, we know that she will be waiting for us in heaven where we can all start again. She is survived by her loving husband Marvin; two daughters, Patricia Schetter, Sheboygan and Laurie (Geoffrey) Wein, Sheboygan; three grandsons, Christopher, Nathaniel & Cameron Wein, all of Sheboygan; one sister-in-law Marion (Joe) Kuehl, Colgate, WI; one brother-in-law, Bill (Candie) Fisher, Gillette, WI; seven nieces, Barbara (Jim) LaViolette, Sturgeon Bay, WI, Margaret Zahn, Sheboygan, Diana Kuehl, Milwaukee, WI, Sue Nehring, Waukesha, WI, Debbie Kyler, Mukwanago, WI, MaryJo (Scott) Johnson, Green Lake, WI, Julie (Jody) Rost, Gillette, WI; three nephews, Brian Fisher, Gillette, WI, Mark (Kelly) Fisher, Suring, WI, Arnie (Debbie) Zahn, Algoma, WI; other relatives and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Herman & Adeline; four brothers, Arnie, Buddy, Jake and Bobby Zahn and one sister-in-law, Beverly Fisher. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 19, 2013, at St. Paul's Ev. Lutheran Church, 1810 N. 13th St., with the Rev. Alan Kretschmar, pastor, officiating. Relatives and friends are welcome at the church on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will be in Lutheran Cemetery. A memorial fund has been established in her name for St. Paul's Ev. Lutheran Church and School The family would like to thank Golden Living Nursing Home for the compassionate and loving care she received while there and also they would like to thank Embrace Homecare for the gentle way in which they cared for Carole in her final weeks at home. The Olson Funeral Home & Cremation Service is serving the family.
