Evelyn Birkholz

Evelyn Birkholz

GLADSTONE — Evelyn Birkholz, age 86, of Gladstone passed away on Tuesday, February 11, 2025 at the St. Francis Hospital in Escanaba.

Evelyn was born March 1, 1938 in Gladstone, the daughter of Charles and Flossie (Pelkey) Godfrey. She was born as a twin with her brother, Everett. She was the last of 16 children to be born and the last to pass. She was united in marriage to Michael Birkholz in 1971. Together they spent 53 years of marriage making memories which included them owning and  operating the Bavarian Bakery in Gladstone from 1988 to 1993 and supporting Mike as an Unfranchise Owner with Market America for 35 years. Evelyn also operated a sign business when she was younger and ran the Happy Clown Ice Cream Truck for several years in Gladstone. She loved traveling every summer with friends on Mike’s Honda Gold Wing named the Rambling Rose. She also enjoyed gardening, oil painting, making porcelain dolls, crocheting, basket weaving, going to the casino and spending time with family.

Evelyn is survived by her children, Fred (Donna) Khollman, Anna (Mike) Gasperich, Chris (Dave) Hamrin, Randy Khollman, Michelle (Greg) Anderson, Roxann (Mike) Hebert and Ricky (Sarah) Khollman; grandchildren, Crystal, Cory, Jason, Heather, Jacob, Erin, Brandon, Jarred, Miranda, Ethan, Conor, Mike, Jessica, Jeff, Sheena, Stacy, Eric and Mindy; great-grandchildren, Alexis, Gianna, Mackenzie, Brantly, Wyatt, Westyn, Kamryn, Rylee, Jack, Matthew, Ella, Luke, Hailey, Taylor and Ayden; great-great-grandchildren, Milania and Gabriella, numerous nieces and nephews and her cat and best friend, Annie.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Michael; her parents; daughter, Cathy Lynn Khollman; grandsons, Travis Hebert and Tommy Kholllman; her brothers, Ralph, Art, Merlan, Walter, Harrison, Robert, William, Ted, Irving, Gerald, Lyle and Everett; and her sisters, Martha, Dorothy and Alice.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, February 19 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone. Funeral services will begin at 5 p.m. with Fr. Brandon Yanni officiating. A luncheon will follow services at the Gladstone Yacht Club.

To leave a message of condolence, go to www.skradskifuneralhomes.com.