Birgit Cullen (Kopanski), age 57, passed away peacefully in her home in Cape Coral, Florida on July 3, 2026. She was born in Hanau, Germany on November 8, 1968. Birgit was the daughter of Erna Ruth Kopanski (Meyer) and Erich Kopanski of Hanau.

Birgit worked most of her life for the Public Health Department in Frankfurt, Germany where they tracked various diseases and virus outbreaks around the world. There she had the opportunity to talk to and meet many high level dignitaries and public officials from many countries. She met her husband George who was stationed in Germany at the time and they were married in Honolulu, Hawaii on December 31, 2009.

Birgit and George enjoyed many adventures together, dog sledding in Alaska and Norway, chasing the Northern Lights in Sweden, catamaran sailing on multiple trips to the Greek Islands as well as traveling with their boat up and down the East Coast of the United States, from Gottschalk Marina in North Carolina to Florida and back and all the side trips along the way. Birgit was quick to make new friends and left a lasting impression on those who knew her.

Birgit was preceded in death by her parents Ruth and Erich Kopanski. She is survived by her husband George Cullen originally from Emmetsburg, Iowa presently living in Cape Coral, Florida.

Birgit will be truly missed by her lifelong friends in Germany and all her new friends from North Carolina, Georgia and Florida.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Birgit's name to a local animal shelter.

A private burial will take place at the Evergreen Cemetery in Emmetsburg, IA on July 25, 2026.