Birdell A. "Birdie" Loe, age 84, of North Mankato, died Saturday, April 8, 2006 at Oaklawn Health Care Center, Mankato.

Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 12, 2006 at St. Paul's Ev. Lutheran Church, North Mankato, with Rev. Charles Vannieuwenhoven and Rev. Gary Wong officiating. Burial will be in Kern's Oak Grove Cemetery, Belgrade Township, Nicollet County, MN. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday at Mankato Mortuary and will continue one hour before services at church on Wednesday. Memorials may be given to St. Paul's Ev. Lutheran Church, American Cancer Society, or an organization of the donor's choice.

Birdell was born August 8, 1921 on a farm in Sterling Center, Blue Earth County to William and Minnie (Ward) Oachs. She attended country school in Sterling Center. She was united in marriage to Kenneth L. Loe on April 17, 1937 in Algona, Iowa. Birdell played in the family band, "Kato Kids," comprised of her four sisters, three brothers, and their mother in which she played the trumpet and Hawaiian guitar. In 1947, Birdell and her husband opened Loe's Market, operating it until 1959 when they built Loe's Truck Stop.

She was a member of St. Paul's Ev. Lutheran Church in North Mankato all of her life. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. Her interests included playing cards, dancing, and wintering in McAllen, Texas.

Birdell is survived by a daughter, Rosemarie Churchill of Elk River; one son, Harvey (Karen) Loe of North Mankato; daughter-in-law, Judy Loe of North Mankato; eight grandchildren, Christine (Kenny) DeWitte, Tammy (John) Romberg, Lisa (Tom) Schneider, Brian (Holli) Loe, Joe (Shelly) Kranz, Todd Kranz, Sandi (Mark) Hansen, John (Stephanie) Churchill; twelve great-grandchildren; and one great-great- grandchild; three sisters, Florence Stanfest, Beaulah McComb, and Willma Smith, all of Mankato.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Kenneth in 1985; son, Ronald in 1981; nine brothers and three sisters.