Alberta "Birdie" Steele

Alberta "Birdie" Steele of Coon Rapids passed away on October 5, 2015. She was born on July 26, 1933 in Minneapolis. She was preceded in death by her husband William (Bill), her father, Albert Hibbard, mother, Myrtle Hibbard, sister Carol Kirtley and brother William Hibbard. She is survived by her daughters: Kim (Dave) Dahl, Jody Steele, Wendy Watje, and Carol Steele Fladland. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Katie (Mike) Laux, Anna (Mike) Fehling, Danielle (Paul) Biedscheid, Luke Watje, Lauren Fladland, Jordan Fladland, and Jacob Fladland, and two great-grandchildren, Julia Laux and Callie Biedscheid, and numerous nephews and nieces.

Birdie grew up in Minneapolis, the youngest of three children. As she grew up, she enjoyed watching her nephews and nieces and was very fond of them. She wanted to be a teacher, but she went to nurses' training to please her mother, and became an RN. While in training she made a handful of lifelong friends. She also met and married Bill, the love of her life. Together they raised four daughters with humor and love, and taught them how to tell a joke, sing in harmony and tell the truth. Birdie was a full time homemaker and mom, cooking, sewing, knitting, and active in church. She and Bill loved to go gallivanting, as they called it, to scout out good deals.

In 1989 Bill died of a heart attack and the light went out of Birdie's eyes for a while. But she was a tough old Norwegian and she had grandchildren responsibilities. Over the years she cared for all seven of them, instigating all sorts of creative art projects, making Halloween costumes, Easter and Christmas outfits, attending orchestra and choir concerts, baseball and football games and track meets, and taking them to garage sales. The kids and grandkids grew up, but everyone kept coming back for Sunday dinner. Birdie kept busy traveling whenever she had a chance, and doing every kind of craft.

Birdie turned out to be a teacher after all. By how she lived and died she taught courage and hope, thankfulness and love.

Steele, Alberta "Birdie" Age 82 of Coon Rapids, passed away on October 5, 2015.

Alberta was born on July 26, 1933 in Minneapolis.

She was preceded in death by her Husband William.

She is survived by Daughters, Kim (Dave) Dahl, Jody Steele, Wendy Watje, and Carol Steele Fladland; 7 Grandchildren; 2 Great grandchildren

~Visitation~

Thursday, October 8, 2015 from 5:00-8:00 PM at

Gearhart Funeral Home,

11275 Foley Blvd NW,

Coon Rapids, Minnesota 55448.

~Funeral Service~

October 9, 2015 at 11:00 AM at

Faith Lutheran Church,

11115 Hanson Blvd NW,

Coon Rapids, Minnesota 55433.

A visitation will also take place one hour prior to the Service at the Church from 10-11 AM.

~Burial~

Morningside Cemetery following the Funeral Service.

Coon Rapids, Minnesota

GEARHART 763.755.6300

Condolences:

www.gearhartfuneralhome.com