Conley G. Birr

Conley Gene Birr, age 88 of Mankato, died Tuesday, September 17, 2019 at his home after a courageous battle with cancer.

Funeral Service 12 p.m., Saturday at Northview – North Mankato Mortuary, 2060 Commerce Drive, North Mankato. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service Saturday at Northview. Interment will be in Sterling Cemetery, rural Mapleton.

Conley Gene Birr, the son of William H. and Louise M. (Guenther) Birr, was born on September 3, 1931 in Mankato. He rode his pony to country school through 8th grade and graduated from Mapleton High School with the class of 1950. He was drafted into the U.S. Army and served in Fort Knox, Kentucky from 1952-54 when he was honorably discharged. He was united in marriage to Ida M. Schull on April 18, 1954 at St. Johns Lutheran Church in St. Clair. Con owned and operated the Standard Oil service station in Mapleton for 5 years. After selling the station, he went to work for the Mankato Citizens Telephone Company. He retired in 1994 after working for them for 35 years.

Con was a member of the Mankato “Caledonian” Curling Club. He enjoyed flying his airplane, walking in the woods, spending time at the family cabin, fishing on Crane Lake with great friends, trips to Alaska with family and friends, and spending time with his family.

Con is survived by his wife of 65 years, Ida; children, Kim (Greg) Rheaume of Mankato, Terry of Mankato, Todd (Regan) of Ham Lake, and Kevin (Roxanne) of St. Peter; his grandchildren and step-grandchildren, Nicole (Duffy) Merrifield of Edmond, OK, Melanie (Ryan) Thielges of Lake Crystal, Dylan (Alyssa) Deegan of Kasota, Aly Deegan of St. Peter, and Cole Deegan of St. Peter; his great-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren, Ava and Bella, Jacob, Lee, and Henry; sister and brother-in-law, Lynda and Leon Leiferman; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Carol More, Dean Lavitschke, Willis Westphal, and Janelle Imm; many niece, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Con was preceded in death by his parents; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Richard and Edna Schull; brothers, Warren “Tex” and Larry; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Alvis More, Jo-an Lavitschke, Janice Westphal and John Imm.

The family sends our thanks and deep gratitude for the care and compassion Con received from doctors and nurses of Mayo of Rochester, Mayo of Mankato, and especially the nurses and care givers of Hospice.