Courtney Elsie Kathryn Birner, 17, Nisland, died Saturday, February 12, 2011, at Sturgis Regional Hospital.

Visitation will be noon until 9 p.m. on Sunday at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis.

Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Monday, February, 21, 2011 at the Nisland Independent Community Church with Pastor Doug Clark officiating. Burial will follow at the Hope Cemetery in Newell.

Courtney was born November 8, 1993, at Westerly, Rhode Island, to Mike and Julie (Thorston) Birner.

At a young age she moved to Nisland with her parents. She attended school in Newell where she was active in Girl Scouts and Band. She competed in regional music contests in vocal and instrumental music. She was an accomplished pianist and played at church, nursing homes, and other venues. She enjoyed ballet and riding horses.

Courtney loved the outdoors, her friends, and she was a conversationalist, or as her parents agreed, she liked "Yakkin with friends".

Survivors include her parents, Mike and Julie Birner, Nisland; one brother, Galen Birner, Nisland; maternal grandparents, John and Elinor Thorston, Lansing, IA; also numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and her boyfriend, Levi.

She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents.

A memorial has been established.