Grace Birks

Grace (Heady) Birks was born February 16, 1913 to Dean and Mary (Wilfong) Heady in Griswold, Iowa. She was raised in Griswold, Carson and Logan, Iowa graduating from Logan High School in 1931. She then took the Normal Teacher’s Training and taught in the country schools for 14 years. Grace married Ray Birks on February 23, 1934, at the United Methodist Church’s parsonage in Logan. Grace attended Dana College to obtain her teaching degree and continued teaching junior high math at the Woodbine Public School. She retired from teaching in 1978.

Grace was a member of the Christian Church, the Ladies Circle, and the Retired Teachers. She was active in the American Cancer Society for 15 years, served on the Woodbine Public Library Board for 10 years and enjoyed quilting at the Senior Center.

Grace died on Sunday, August 21, 2011, at the Rose Vista Nursing Home in Woodbine, Iowa at the age of 98 years, six months, and five days.

Grace was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Ray Birks; three year old son, Edgar Birks; son, John Birks; grandson Darrell Birks; four brothers, Lloyd, Lawrence, Fred and Donald Heady; and four sisters, Iva Cummings, Etta Gay, Ellen McClain, and her twin sister, Gladys Hendershot. She is survived by her daughter, Betty Elkin of Council Bluffs, Iowa; granddaughter, Eva Elkin of Council Bluffs, Iowa; and many other relatives and friends.