The Ravena News-Herald 2022, Aug. 11

ALBANY—Leni Bierbaum, 81, of Germantown passed away February 8, 2025 at Albany Medical Center.

She was born in Hamburg, Germany, March 11, 1943 to the late Hans and Minna Pein. While in Germany, she worked on her family’s dairy farm and excelled in track. She was offered an opportunity to compete on the German Olympic Team, however her responsibilities at home would not allow her to chase that dream. On December 16, 1964 in Germany, she married Walter Bierbaum. Together, they immigrated to the United States in 1964 to start a new life and raise a family. She became a naturalized citizen of the United States September 5, 1968.

In addition to raising her family, she and her husband started a small family fruit farm on South Road, Germantown, where she worked until her husband’s passing in 1999. She was also employed at the Adventist Home and Entenmann’s, both in Livingston. She was an avid gardener and landscaper and took great pride in all that she created and grew. Those who knew her, could always find her outside tending her gardens or doing some project to beautify the yards.

She, along with her husband, were longtime active members of the Clermont Fire Company.

She is survived by: her daughters, Deborah (Rodney) Hapeman of Rhinebeck and Elizabeth Bierbaum of Germantown; her grandsons, Walter (Tracey Rancourt) VanKleeck of Pleasant Valley and Robert (Lauren Rhynders) VanKleeck of Elizaville; her siblings, Linda Sagemann of Germany, and Hans Pein of Champaign, IL; along with nieces, nephews, and extended family. Her sister, Annalise Bayerkohler also predeceased her.

Services will be private with interment in Viewmonte Cemetery, Germantown.

Memorials may be made in her memory to the Clermont Fire Company.

Funeral arrangements were trusted to Burnett & White Funeral Homes – Red Hook.