Cole Anthony Birkel, age 36, of Ellsworth passed away suddenly at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota on Saturday, November 20, 2021. Cole was born on September 14, 1985 to Tony and Jodie Birkel in Red Wing, Minnesota.  He attended St. Francis Catholic School and graduated from Ellsworth High School in 2004. Cole was employed at S.B. Foot Tanning Company in Red Wing, Minnesota.

Cole was a free-spirited individual who loved music, playing his guitar, his body art (tattoos), and enjoyed fishing, hunting, watching movies and going to concerts. Cole loved to joke around, make people laugh and smile with his sense of humor. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.

Memories of Cole will be held in our hearts forever.

Cole is survived by his parents: Jodie Birkel (Randy Deiss), and Tony and Roxy Birkel; siblings: Andy (Madeline) Birkel, Matt (Megan) Birkel, Whitney (Jason O’Neil); nieces and nephews: Ava, Roman, Raleigh Birkel; Savannah, and Lillian Birkel; Avery and Kehan O’Neil; grandmother, Dorothy Boleen. Along with many Aunts, Uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Dale and Lila Birkel and Melvin Boleen.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Francis Catholic Church in Ellsworth at 12:00 p.m. Friday, November 26, 2021 with Father David Olson officiating. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the start of Mass. The service will be livestreamed to: https://youtu.be/OxReIEz7v3E Interment will be in St. Francis Catholic Cemetery in Ellsworth, WI. Following the service there will be a Celebration of Life for Cole at Ridgetop in Prescott, Wisconsin.

Services are entrusted to O’Connell Family Funeral Home of Ellsworth, www.oconnellfuneralservices.com, 715-273-4421