Virleen Birkelbach Fischer

Virleen Birkelbach Fischer, 92, died peacefully the evening of Sunday, July 10, 2016 at the Giddings Residence and Rehabilitation Center. Virleen Birkelbach Fischer was born on May 25, 1924, at the home of her parents Benno Henry Birkelbach and Minnie Elsie (Kieke) Birkelbach in Carmine. She was baptized in the Christian faith on Nov. 16, 1924 at Martin Luther Lutheran Church in Carmine by Rev. A.H. Falkenberg. She affirmed her Baptism in the Rite of Confirmation on Palm Sunday in 1938 also at Martin Luther Lutheran Church in Carmine by Rev. H. Brunotte. Her memory verse was Revelations 2:10, “Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life.” On March 21, 1943, she was united in marriage to Johnnie Fischer at Martin Luther Lutheran Church in Carmine by Rev. H. Brunnote. She lived on a farm near Giddings until she and her husband retired in 1984. She was a homemaker and loved gardening, sewing, quilting and attending the Morning Circle Bible Study. Virleen enjoyed being with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Virleen was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one granddaughter, Ashlee Michalek; two brothers, Ray Birkelbach and Tracy Birkelbach; one sister, Fairy Nell Kieke Behrens; eight brothers-in-law and eight sisters-in-law. She is survived by her children, Dianna and Leon Michalek of Giddings and Bobby and Jane Fischer of Lincoln; eight grandchildren, Judy and Delbert Zoch of Warda, Cheryl Iselt of Manor, Debbie and DeLynn Bage of Manor, Holly and Donald Kieschnick of Giddings, Brock Fischer of Giddings, Lance and Lacey Fischer of Giddings, Mark and Tricia Michalek of Cibolo and Rodney Michalek and Barry Day of San Antonio; eighteen great-grandchildren, Christopher Kovar of Warda, Bridgett Kovar of Austin, Bruce Zoch of Warda, Dylan Iselt and Rachel Davis of Giddings, Heather Iselt of Giddings, Brittany Bage and Ryan Hendrix of Giddings, Brandon Bage of Giddings, Johnathan Kieschnick of Giddings, Colby Fischer and Kaitlyn Love of Abilene, Cordell Fischer of Mineral Wells, Gavin Fischer of Houston, Cassidy Michalek and Ryan Kent of San Antonio, C.J. Bouthot of New Braunfels, Ashly and Roger Chavez of Cibolo, Jessica Bouthot and Shawn Gross of Schertz, Dustin and Denise Kieschnick of Giddings, Michelle and Brandon Krause of Serbin and Ashley and Steven Hartranft of Giddings; fourteen great-great-grandchildren; three sisters-in-law, Angeline Birkelbach of Houston, Lorine Fischer of La Grange and Evelyn Birkelbach of Hallettsville as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 14, 2016 at Martin Luther Lutheran Church in Giddings with Rev. Jeremy Walloch officiating. Burial followed in the Giddings City Cemetery. Pallbearers were Christopher Kovar, Brandon Bage, Dylan Iselt, Bruce Zoch, Lance Fischer, Brock Fischer and Ryan Hendrix. Memorials may be made to Martin Luther Lutheran Church, 573 North Main Street, Giddings, Texas 78942 or to the charity of one’s choice. Phillips and Luckey Funeral Home in Giddings was in charge of arrangements.