Earl Birk 1944 - 2016

BIRK, ROLFES

Posted By: Connie J Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/20/2016 at 14:13:26

Sioux City Journal
7 June 2016

BRONSON, Iowa | Earl Birk, 72, of Sioux Falls, S.D., formerly of Bronson, died Monday, June 6, 2016, at his home after a long battle with kidney cancer.

A celebration of life service will be held at a later date.

Earl was born on Jan. 13, 1944, to Jorgen and Astrid Birk, in Bronson, Iowa. He was raised on the family farm near Bronson. Earl served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Montrose during the Vietnam War, and was honorably discharged in 1969. He went on to get a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from Iowa State University, graduating in 1973.

He was united in marriage to Nita Rolfes on Aug. 11, 1973.

Earl especially loved caring for his five grandchildren. Spending time with his family was easily the most important thing in his life. He actively lived the philosophy that the children are our future.

To Earl nothing was impossible and he lived by the philosophy, "I'll either find a way or make one." He continued that philosophy in his fight with cancer.

Earl is survived by his wife of 43 years, Nita; two sons, Jared (Robyne) of Watertown, S.D., and Matthew (Stacie) of Worthing, S.D.; four grandsons, Jorgen, Cody, Jack and Benjamin; one granddaughter, Amanda; a brother, Richard (Sandra) of Sioux City; two sisters, Donna (Lowell) Thurow of Sioux City and Doris (Rodney) Willms of Brooklyn Park, Minn.; in-laws, Bob and Barbara Rolfes of Sioux City and Jana Rolfes of Antioch, Calif.; and many special nieces and nephews.

Earl was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Niels; and sister-in-law, Karen Birk.

Memorials may be directed to the Feeding South Dakota back pack program in Earl's name.