Maureen Birgen
BERESFORD - Maureen Birgen, 88, passed away Wednesday, January 3, 2024, in Beresford, SD. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Monday, January 8, at St. Teresa Catholic Church in Beresford. Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 6:45 PM on Sunday, January 7 at St. Teresa with a Rosary and Wake Service to follow. Memorials may be directed to the St. Teresa’s Building Fund, St. Teresa Catholic Daughters, St. John Cemetery (Beresford), or Beresford Senior Citizens Center.
Maureen Kathleen Dangel was born April 7, 1935, at her home in rural Freeman, SD to Frank and Lena (Goettertz) Dangel. She was the first baby baptized in the newer church at St. Boniface Idylwilde. She graduated from Mount Marty High School in 1953 and received her teaching degree from Mount Marty College in 1954. She taught school in rural Freeman. She was united in marriage to Mathew Birgen on June 2, 1955, at St. Boniface Idylwilde.
Maureen was a proud member of Catholic Daughters of America, St. Teresa Alter Society, Sunnyside Club, election clerk for over 20 years, Meals on Wheels volunteer, District I Farmers Union Secretary, and Clay County Farmers Union Youth Leader.
She loved travel and she and her husband Mathew traveled to multiple countries and four continents. She was known for her baking and cooking—she served her family, church and community with her baked goods, treats and renowned sour cream raisin pie. She loved playing cards, having been in several card clubs over the years. She sewed her whole life—making clothes for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; making quilts for her family and for St. Teresa high school senior; and baptismal blankets--hand-crocheting the finishing lace. She was an expert at holding babies, grandbabies, and great-grandbabies.
Maureen was a loving mom, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She loved family and hosting large gatherings in her home. She was a great friend to all, including many in the Beresford and St. Teresa community. She was a woman of great faith.
She is survived by her sister-in-law Loretta (Jerry) Dangel, Turkey Ridge, SD; her children, Ken (Cindy) Birgen, Lafayette, CO, Connie Birgen, Vermillion; Chuck Birgen, Cozad, NE; Carolee (Dennis) Kapperman, Hartford; Larry (Kathy) Birgen, Sioux Falls; Deb Birgen, Sioux Falls; Mary (Alex) LeMieux, Clancy, MT; and grandchildren Julia Birgen, Taylor Birgen, Nick (Crystal) Kapperman, David (Heather) Kapperman, Fr. Michael Kapperman, Dan (Rachael) Kapperman, Lindsey (Drew) Markhardt, Tyler Birgen (girlfriend, Savannah Sievers), Miranda (Tanner) Reddig, Kaitlin LeMieux, and Laura (Joe) Carrell; and 13 great-grandchildren, with two more great-grandchildren on-the-way.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 65 years, Mathew Birgen, her sister Jeannette Dangel Schramm, brother-in-law Willard Schramm, and brother Jerry Dangel. wassfuneralhome.com