It is with deep sadness and heartbreak that we announce that Thomas, Carol and Stephanie Birchell passed away as the result of a devastating fire at their home in Park Falls, WI caused by a lightning strike during a storm.

Carol (age 59), Stephanie (age 33) and their family canine companions "Moose" & "Max" did not make it out of the home in the early hours of the fire, June 29, 2025. Tom (age 57) was flown Flight-For-Life in critical condition and eventually succumbed to those injuries at Hennepin Health Care Center in Minneapolis, MN on July 27, 2025.

Tom, Carol & Stephanie worked together in their family business "Birchell Property Management", serving Northern Wisconsin for many years. While Tom also supported the family with snow plowing, they all participated in their maple syrup harvest production business called "Sticky Fingers Maple Syrup". Their delicious all natural syrup was sought locally as well as across the state, places like Arkansas, and sometimes shipped anywhere by request. Tom enjoyed everything outdoors including fishing, hunting, shooting, helping others with their hunting or fishing experiences as a successful guide, and served as a judge for youth hunting conventions. Carol loved being a doting homemaker & tirelessly caring for her family. Her cooking was absolutely the best. Stephanie was following in her mother's footsteps as she was quite an amazing cook herself. Above all, Tom & Carol were all about family, community, and were extremely proud grandparents of Alina (age 9) and Ariella (age 4). Stephanie was the girl's special auntie. Steph treated them like they were her own.

Surviving Tom, Carol & Stephanie are: their daughter & sister, Melody Birchell; cherished granddaughters and nieces, Alina and Ariella Redzepi; Tom's father, Richard Birchell; Tom's step-father, Gary Gibson; Tom's brother, Bob Birchell; Carol's sisters, Cindy (Hugh) Hunkeler and Cathy (Troy) Tabbert.

They were preceded in death by Tom's mom, Karen (nee: Dworak) Gibson; and by Carol's parents, Kenneth and Beverly (nee: Riley) Bartel.

Funeral services honoring Tom, Carol & Stephanie will be held at Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home on Saturday, August 16, 2025 at 11:00 am. The Birchell's will be laid to rest in Sunset Ridge Memorial Park. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Saturday, August 16, 2025 from 9:00 – 11:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to the family will help with defray the many costs that come with this devastating tragedy. May God bless all of our family and friends that have reached out during this most difficult time.

Eternal rest grant on to them, O Lord,

and let perpetual shine upon them.

May their souls and all souls of the faithful departed,

through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Amen.

Service Details

Funeral services honoring Tom, Carol & Stephanie Birchell will be held at Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home on Saturday, August 16, 2025 at 11:00 am. The Birchell's will be laid to rest in Sunset Ridge Memorial Park. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Saturday, August 16, 2025 from 9:00 – 11:00 am.