Birdella was born on February 2, 1922 to Lilly and John Thomassen. She was born in the back of her parents’ grocery store in Berne, Iowa, and named after the midwife. Her mother passed away from pneumonia when she was nine days old. She was then raised by her grandmother, Amanda Kuchel, in Holstein, Iowa. She grew up delivering milk around the town of Holstein. On February 28, 1940, Birdella married Raymond Wesley Young and moved to the family farm in Silver Creek Township. With that union, together they raised five children. Her first priority was always family. They lived on and operated the family farm until retirement in 1981, then moved to Galva, IA.
Birdella was always an active member in the United Methodist Church. She shared her love for music participating in choir and singing church solos.
After Raymond’s death, she married Robert Brostad in 1990. Birdella enjoyed bowling, playing cards, having coffee with friends, and spending time with her children and grandchildren.
She spent her final years at North Lake Manor in Storm Lake, IA, and passed away peacefully on January 8, 2013.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Raymond; and her son, Robert.
Survivors include her husband, Robert Brostad; daughter, Linda (Terry) Markley of Rosamond, CA; daughter-in-law, Judy Young Snodgrass of Lancaster, CA; daughter, Barbara (Gary) Pfrimmer of Boone, IA; son, Don (Meg) Young of Schaller, IA; daughter, Sandra (Scott) Demers of Lakeside, IA; step-son, John (Roxie) Brostad of Storm Lake; 16 grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; three step-great-grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren.
Visitation:
A visitation will be held on Friday, January 11, 2013 from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM at the Nicklas D. Jensen Funeral Home of Holstein.
Funeral:
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 12, 2013 at 10:00 AM at the Galva United Methodist Church of Galva with the Rev. Kristen D Boysen officiating.
Burial:
Burial will be at the Galva Township East Cemetery of Galva.