Melvin “Mel” Birkholz, 86, of Garrison, ND passed away at his home on Friday, September 5, 2025.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, September 12, 2025, at the First Congregational Church, UCC, in Garrison, ND. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Burial to follow at St. Nicholas Catholic Cemetery, Garrison, ND.
Mel was born on November 19, 1938, to Christ and Rosella (Hach) Birkholz in Garrison. He was the youngest of four children. He graduated from Garrison High School in 1957 and was a member of the first graduating class of the newly built high school after the original school on top of Main Street burnt down in a fire. Mel enlisted in the Army Reserves after graduation and went to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri for Basic Training. He spent 6 months at Brooks Army medical center in San Antonio as a medic, then was stationed at Camp McCoy in Wisconsin. While at Camp McCoy he was awarded a Letter of Appreciation from the Post Commander for his leadership reconditioning 32 Post Training Sites. He served in the Army Reserves from 1957-1966 and was honorably discharged. He was a 50 year+ member of the American Legion.
Mel was a very hard working man from a young age. His first job was at Rensch Farm Store in high school and with his wages he proudly purchased his first car. After his service in the reserves, he returned to Garrison and worked in construction, building many houses in the area. After that, he worked at the gas plant as a millwright servicing the turbines on turnarounds at the various plants in ND. Mel was a member of the Carpenter & Millwrights Local #1091. Mel was passionate about gun safety and served as a hunter’s education instructor for 30 years. Mel’s hobbies included deer hunting and rebuilding wrecked cars.
Mel was united in marriage to Patricia “Pat” Sorensen on February 24, 1968, in Garrison. Mel built the home they lived in just outside of Garrison prior to the birth of their first daughter Kimberly in 1975. They had two daughters, Kim and Hollie. Although he was blessed with only girls, he taught both his girls how to “fix stuff” and be self-sufficient, including mowing the lawn, shooting a gun and driving stick shift vehicles. The family always took a yearly road trip, often stopping in Medora or the Black Hills on the way. Mel and Pat were gifted a trip to explore Alaska on their 40th Wedding Anniversary.
Mel was very proud of his girls. He never hesitated to tell people that he had one daughter who was a lawyer and one who was a registered nurse. After Pat passed away in May of 2023, Kim became his caregiver stopping in several times a week. He missed Pat dearly and longed for the day they could be together again. Although we will miss him, knowing he is reunited with his wife, of 57 years, and his brothers and sisters brings peace.
Mel is survived by his daughters, Kimberly (Daryl) Lies, of Douglas, ND and Hollie (Chris Perejda) Birkholz, of Denver, CO; grandchildren, Samantha (Skylar) Rebel, of Douglas, ND, Amber (Reed Rose) Lies, of Craig, CO, Warner and Conrad Perejda, of Denver, CO; great-grandchildren, Stella Ann, Sharlotte Rose and Saige Marie Rebel and Evelyn Patricia Galloway; three sisters-in-law, numerous nephews and nieces.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Patricia “Pat” (Sorensen) Birkholz; parents, Christ and Rosella Birkholz; brothers, Edwin (Adeline) Birkholz, David (Shirley) Birkholz; sister, Lorraine (Roy) Lucas; father and mother-in-law and two brothers-in-law.
In lieu of flowers/memorials, donations can be gifted to the Garrison Hunter’s Education Program or a charity of your choice.
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