Libby Ann Birehaus

Libby Ann Bierhaus, 94, passed away on June 3rd, 2023 after a short, aggressive illness. Visitation will be held from 4-6 PM, Friday, June 9th, 2023 at Hamilton’s Funeral Home on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway, Des Moines, Iowa. Burial will take place at 11 AM on Monday, June 12th, 2023 at Greenwood Cemetery in Franklin Nebraska.

Libby was born on December 22nd, 1928 to Karel and Anna (Tlamka) Pospisil in Brainard, Nebraska, the youngest of five children. She grew up and graduated high school from East Butler High School in 1946. While visiting her brother in Franklin, Nebraska, she met the “grocery delivery boy” Frederick “Fritz” Bierhaus and began a 57-year-long journey together on January 14th, 1951. During the Korean Conflict, Fritz was recalled to service in the United States Air Force, moving the couple to Colorado Springs, Colorado where he was stationed. During that time, they welcomed their son Steven. They then lived a short time in St. Louis, Missouri. Wishing to be closer to family, Fritz was transferred to Imperial, Nebraska where they stayed until the F.A.A. Flight service station was closed in the mid-1970s. they moved to Des Moines, Iowa where Fritz finished his career.

Libby and Fritz enjoyed traveling during their retirement years. Memorable trips included traveling overseas where Libby visited her ancestral home in the Czech Republic, going throughout Europe, and her trips to Hawaii and Alaska. Later in life, Libby and Fritz R.V’d across the U.S. while overwintering in South Texas before coming back to their home base in Iowa for the warmer summer months. After the love of her life died in 2008, Libby enjoyed good health and frequently drove herself back to Nebraska, visiting her son with stops in Cairo, Nebraska where she enjoyed being Grandma to her grandson Adam and her 3 great-grandchildren.

Libby loved to cook and was a fantastic baker, drawing on her experiences with her mother preparing traditional Czech dishes and delicious kolaches. Although she is gone, she will always be remembered by those who were lucky enough to have known her.

She is preceded in death by her husband; Frederick, her parents, as well as two sisters and two brothers.

Left to cherish her memory is her son; Steven (Peggy) Bierhaus of Norfolk, Nebraska, grandson; Adam (Sara) Bierhaus, great-grandchildren; Adalyn Katelyn and Jackson Bierhaus as well as several nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions may be directed to UnityPoint Taylor House Hospice or the Animal Rescue League of Iowa.

“Perhaps they are not stars in the sky, but rather openings where our loved one shines down to let us know they are happy.”