Bertha Florence "Mama Burr" Birkman, 97, of Springfield, passed away on Tuesday, March 6, 2018 at Heritage Health.

Bertha was born on September 26, 1920 in El Campo, TX the daughter of Paul and Bessie (Lauritsen) Jensen.  She married Vincent Birkman Sr.; he preceded her in death in 2005.

She was a partner at Birkman Shell Gas Station and Birkman Tapes.  She enjoyed spending time with her family, going for rides and was an excellent seamstress.  She was a member of Concordia Lutheran Church.

She is survived by four children, June (John) Lumpkin of Brenham, TX, Shirley Birkman of Springfield, Nancy (Jim) Matheis of Peoria and Vincent (Lisa) Birkman Jr. of St. Louis, MO; sister, Honey Richards of Houston, TX; eight grandchildren, Jim, Kathy, Karen, Kim, Keith, Dawn, Melanie and Derek; and several great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was also preceded in death by her parents; and two sisters, Dorothy Nicholson and Sonny Soukup.

Visitation will be from 5:00-8:00 p.m. on Friday, March 9, 2018 at Ellinger-Kunz & Park Funeral Home.  Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 10, 2018 at Concordia Lutheran Church with Reverend James Hennig officiating.  Burial will follow at Rochester Cemetery.

Contributions may be made to Concordia Lutheran Church in memory of Bertha Birkman.