Franz Frederick Birzer

Franz F. Birzer, 60, of Ottawa, Kansas, passed away Saturday, July 10, 2021. Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 A.M., Friday, July 16, 2021, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. A rosary will be held at 6:00 P.M., Thursday, July 15, 2021, at Dengel & Son Mortuary, Ottawa, followed by a short family visitation. Interment Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Ottawa, with military honors by the United States Air Force. Franz was born May 8, 1961, in Ottawa, the son of John R. and Phyllis M. (Fowler) Birzer. He was a lifelong Franklin County resident, graduating from Pomona High School with the class of 1979. Franz attended Benedictine College from 1979 to 1980 and studied computers at Kansas Technical Institute in Salina from 1981 to 1983. He served in the United States Air Force from June 1983 to July 1987 attaining the rank of Sgt. After his military service Franz continued his education at Washburn University receiving a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Computer Information Systems in 1992. He worked toward a Master of Entomology from Kansas State University from 1994 to 1996. Franz worked for Sykes in Manhattan and worked as a carpenter and construction worker. For many years he was self-employed as a computer technician consultant. He enjoyed helping on the farm and was artistically creative and made functional items from nature. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Ottawa, and the Ottawa Knights of Columbus, Council 3018. He was interested in natural resources management and enjoyed being outdoors, hiking, and communicating via social media. He was a former member of Entomological Society of America and the Society for Vector Ecology. Franz always enjoyed his family and the time they spent together and was known as the “favorite uncle”. He was preceded in death by his father, John R. Birzer, and two brothers-in-law, Martin Goedken and Kenneth Zweig. Survivors include his mother Phyllis Birzer of Ottawa; five siblings, John Birzer of Eudora, Lisa Goedken of Conception Junction, Missouri, Bibiana Zweig of Topeka, Deidre Birzer also of Topeka, and Celia Jardon and husband Bob of Leavenworth; and many nieces and nephews. The family suggests memorial contributions to LifeCare Center of Ottawa c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.