DAVENPORT - Melba Evelyn Birkhahn, of Davenport, died in the loving arms of Jesus on Friday, Nov. 21, 2003, at Genesis Medical Center-West Campus, Davenport. Funeral services will be Wednesday, Nov. 26, at 1 p.m. at Runge Mortuary, Davenport. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the mortuary. Burial will be in Oakdale Cemetery. Melba was born March 3, 1916, in Davenport, to William and Owney (Gillbraith) Kroeger. At seventeen, Melba was employed at Fullize Grocery Store. Starting at the age of 18, she became a blues songstress for 10 years, known as "Billie Lee." She sang with the following orchestras: Jimmie Chase, Jack Willits, Dick Hoff, Carlisle Evans and Kenn Kasenberg. She entered amateur contests at the Capitol Theatre and Orpheum and was broadcast over WOC radio from the Capitol Theatre. She sang at the Ritz, Buvette Nite Club, Top Hat at the Leclaire Hotel, Gold Room at the Black Hawk Hotel, Fort Armstrong Hotel, Arsenal Golf Club, Belvadeer, Davenport Outing Club and three times at the USO Club, entertaining soldiers during World War II. The highlight of her singing career was when she sang at the Danceland Ballroom for the Policeman's Ball with Jack Willits and a 12 -piece orchestra. She was a beautiful person with a beautiful voice. Her hobbies included writing poetry, drawing and crossword puzzles. She was a gifted artist. She was a member of the Plus 60 Club. As a mother, Melba was a kind, sweet, gentle, understanding, patient person with a heart of gold. A quiet person, Melba gave unconditional love to her daughter, Carol. To Carol, her mom was her best friend and she knew God had put the right mother with the right daughter. Carol will love and miss her mother for the rest of her life and will always be grateful for the wonderful years she had with her. Melba married Frank Birkhahn on Jan. 12, 1945, in Tipton, Iowa; he died Oct. 1, 1977. Melba is lovingly survived by her daughter, Carol Birkhahn-Reeves and her husband, Howard, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister.
DAVENPORT - Melba Evelyn Birkhahn, of Davenport, died in the loving arms of Jesus on Friday, Nov. 21, 2003, at Genesis Medical Center-West Campus, Davenport. Funeral services will be Wednesday, Nov. 26, at 1 p.m. at Runge Mortuary, Davenport. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the mortuary. Burial will be in Oakdale Cemetery. Melba was born March 3, 1916, in Davenport, to William and Owney (Gillbraith) Kroeger. At seventeen, Melba was employed at Fullize Grocery Store. Starting at the age of 18, she became a blues songstress for 10 years, known as "Billie Lee." She sang with the following orchestras: Jimmie Chase, Jack Willits, Dick Hoff, Carlisle Evans and Kenn Kasenberg. She entered amateur contests at the Capitol Theatre and Orpheum and was broadcast over WOC radio from the Capitol Theatre. She sang at the Ritz, Buvette Nite Club, Top Hat at the Leclaire Hotel, Gold Room at the Black Hawk Hotel, Fort Armstrong Hotel, Arsenal Golf Club, Belvadeer, Davenport Outing Club and three times at the USO Club, entertaining soldiers during World War II. The highlight of her singing career was when she sang at the Danceland Ballroom for the Policeman's Ball with Jack Willits and a 12 -piece orchestra. She was a beautiful person with a beautiful voice. Her hobbies included writing poetry, drawing and crossword puzzles. She was a gifted artist. She was a member of the Plus 60 Club. As a mother, Melba was a kind, sweet, gentle, understanding, patient person with a heart of gold. A quiet person, Melba gave unconditional love to her daughter, Carol. To Carol, her mom was her best friend and she knew God had put the right mother with the right daughter. Carol will love and miss her mother for the rest of her life and will always be grateful for the wonderful years she had with her. Melba married Frank Birkhahn on Jan. 12, 1945, in Tipton, Iowa; he died Oct. 1, 1977. Melba is lovingly survived by her daughter, Carol Birkhahn-Reeves and her husband, Howard, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister.
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