Marie Ernestine Volkmann

life story

Loving Wife & Mother

Good and Faithful Servant

Marie Ernestine Volkmann, of Burnsville, Minnesota, was called to her heavenly home surrounded by loved ones at Hennepin County Medical Center on May 27, 2024. She was 87 years old.

Marie was born to Helena and Louis Birr in Kasota, Minnesota, on June 21, 1936. She was baptized, confirmed, and married at St. Peter Lutheran Church in St. Peter, Minnesota. She earned a teaching degree from Mankato State College and taught physical education classes in Lester Prairie before marrying Clifford Volkmann on September 21, 1968. Marie set aside her teaching career to help care for her elderly relatives at the farm before she became a stay-at-home mom for their four children. She eventually started an in-home daycare where she continued to share her love with children. Cliff and Marie lived in California and North Dakota before building their forever home in Burnsville in 1984.

Marie was a lifelong caregiver and a humble, selfless servant to her core. At one point early on in their marriage, she drove an hour each way to the family farm every day to help do the chores and care for her elderly relatives. Then she cared for and raised four children of her own, and her smile beamed even brighter when she was with her grandchildren. She also warmly welcomed neighborhood children and daycare kiddos into her toy-wonderland and sandbox. She loved holding and hugging children, reading to them, and taking them to the playground at nearby Colonial Park. Besides her hugs, kids probably most remember her legendary strawberry milk, rice crispy treats, and all things delicious.

Marie was a superhuman in so many ways. From her culinary skills in the kitchen to her endless energy to “get it all together.” We’ll never fully know how she did it all, but we will remember the hugs, the wonderful smells coming from the kitchen and the Lutheran Hour playing on her radio, her love of gardening and flowers, the treats she’d somehow find time to make, the handwritten notes in school lunch sacks, and her April Fool’s day joke of an inside out sandwich or the peanut butter and jelly bean sandwich. In addition to the children, Marie cared for all the various pets over the years that her children promised to care for, and even found ways to keep Mr. Munchkin (the squirrels) happy and fed better than the family dogs.

Most importantly she was a woman of strong faith, conviction, and a prayer warrior. Her children could never get her to tell a lie - she blushed at the thought of fibbing. She was always thinking of others. Whenever she saw an ambulance speeding by with lights flashing and siren blaring, you’d see the concern in her eyes and hear her say “Oh no, someone needs help, we need to pray for them.” We are grateful for her faith and how she shared that same faith with her children and grandchildren. She set a tremendous example with her piety and determination to pack her children in the station wagon to get them to church on Sunday - no matter how much the kids stalled or how late they arrived. Anytime her children left the house, Marie would remind them to “Take God with you.” We know Marie is praying for us, please pray for her too.

We appreciate the prayers, support and help from family, friends, and the best neighborhood in Burnsville she called home for 38 years. We are thankful for the kindness and compassionate care provided by Dr. Quirk and Nurse Matt at the Hennepin County Medical Center and the Mt. Olivet Home nurses, aides, and staff. They kept Maire comfortable throughout her final months and days. As one thank you was never enough, Marie would say “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

Marie is survived by her children: Lynne (Rick) Hoel of Burnsville, Jon (Kelly) Volkmann of Woodbury, Patti (Bob) Kent of Savage, and Benny (Michelle) Volkmann of Decorah, Iowa; her eleven loving grandchildren: Scott, Luke, Wyatt and Hanna Hoel; Grace, Ava and Samuell Volkmann; Brielle and Brayden Kent; Olivia and Anya Volkmann; brothers Albert (Alma) Birr and Louis (Diane) Birr, sister-in-law Virgene Volkmann and brother-in-law Gordon Volkmann.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Clifford, parents Helena and Louis Birr, mother-in-law Emelia Volkmann, sisters Margaret (Bill) Thompson, Anna (Roger) Johnson, and Helen (Dick) Thedens; brother-in-law Alvin Volkmann, sister-in-law Irene (Olav) Thormodson, niece Linda Thormodson and nephew Paul Thedens.

Visitation will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 7 at Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church in Prior Lake, Minnesota with the memorial service at noon. Reception with refreshments and treats to follow. After the reception, all are welcome to join the family for the interment at the Alma City Cemetery.

If you feel so compelled to send flowers, please consider a plant. Marie loved plants and we intend to share the plants with our guests after the memorial as a way to honor her.

memorial service

Memorial Service

June 7, 2024

Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church 3611 N Berens Rd NW, Prior Lake, MN 55379, USA

Visitation at 11am. Following the service there will be a reception. Internment at the Alma City Cemetary after the reception.

https://www.youtube.com/live/PvDMi8rgvLY

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Alma City Cemetery