May 16, 1917 - Nov. 27, 2007
BIRD ISLAND -- Marfred James Kienholz, 90, of Bird Island died Tuesday at his daughter's home in rural Browns Valley.
The service will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Bird Island. Burial, with military rites, will be at the Bird Island City Cemetery.
Visitation is from 5 to 8 p.m. today, with a prayer service at 7:30, at Dirks-Blem Funeral Home in Bird Island and for one hour prior to the service Friday at the church.
He was born May 16, 1917, in Amboy, to Fred and Mary (Sharp) Kienholz. He attended grade school in a one-room schoolhouse in rural Bird Island. He graduated from Bird Island High School in 1934.
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He farmed with his family, worked in a bakery and did carpentry work. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, where he earned the rank of captain. He was awarded the Purple Heart, the Silver Star and the Bronze Star with an oak leaf cluster.
He married Helen Mattson on June 29, 1946, in Lake Lillian. They farmed and lived in rural Bird Island and later moved into town.
He was a member of the Bird Island United Methodist Church, where he sang in the choir, and was a past Sunday school superintendent. He was a member of the Bird Island American Legion, the Dip and Dive Square Dance Club, and the Willmar Woodcarver's Association. He also served for many years as treasurer of the Bird Island Public School Board.
He is survived by his wife; five children: James (and Susan) Kienholz of Holyoke, Colo., Judy (and Randy) Beumer of Browns Valley, Sharon (and Mark) Koenig of Spartanburg, S.C., Roger (and Kristin) Kienholz of Lake Crystal, and David Kienholz (and special friend Carmen Melges) of Bird Island; 12 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and a brother: Floyd (and Shirley) Kienholz of Bird Island.
He was preceded in death by a brother and a sister.
