Miriam Bierwirth

Miriam “Becky” Bierwirth, 96, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away on Friday, February 20, 2026, at Cottage Grove Place, Cedar Rapids. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids, with a Memorial Service to immediately follow at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will take place on a later date at Glendale Cemetery in Des Moines, Iowa. A livestream of the funeral service may be accessed on the funeral home website tribute page for Miriam, under “photos and videos,” starting at 11 a.m. Wednesday, February 25, 2026.

Becky was born February 10, 1930, in Zearing, Iowa, the daughter of Reverend Irving and Nora (Schilling) Baumgartner. Shortly after she was born, the family moved to Cedar Rapids where they lived for several years before moving again to Cedar Falls, where Becky graduated from High School. After graduation, Becky attended Westmar College, majoring in music (voice), but after a year she decided that nursing was her true calling. She left Le Mars, Iowa and enrolled in the Iowa Methodist Nursing School. There she graduated as an RN and began her career at Methodist Hospital in Des Moines.

While still in school, Becky was active in the Ecumenical United Brethren Church (which became United Methodist Church in 1968), where her dad had been pastor. It is there that she met the love of her life. LeRoy Bierwirth went to church one Sunday morning after the consistent pestering of his sisters who were regulars. The story told is that he took one look at Becky, singing in the choir and was smitten. Soon they were dating and marriage followed. They spent the next 70 years centered on church and family and in 2005, Becky and LeRoy moved to Cedar Falls where they developed many life-long friendships.

Through the years Becky and LeRoy lived a full life, balancing church, family and work with plenty of fun. Becky enjoyed activities in the church such as youth leadership, circles and various committees and outside the church in volunteer roles such as hospice and meals on wheels. She also found time to teach preschool for several years.

Becky loved to go on trips and the growing family made sure to plan travel across the US every summer. Their fold-down camper was loaded with stickers from all the US states but two and they continued to travel after retirement in their RV! (They made it to Alaska in 2001, leaving only one remaining!) Becky was known for her welcoming smile, warm hospitality and love of food, which she liked to share.

Becky is survived by her children, Heidi (John) Rieff or Plano, Texas, Lori (David) Hunt of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Robin Brophy of North Liberty, Iowa; grandchildren, Amanda Rieff, Samantha Rieff, Andrew Hunt, Heathur (Derek) Aanrud and Gabriel Hanson; and great-grandchildren, Ethan, Brandon, Dylan and Autumn.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Ruth Baumgartner, Rachel Doran and Eunice Lentz; husband, LeRoy; and son-in-law, Brad Brophy.

Memorials may be directed to the family.