Allen Birks

Allen William, son of Frank and Eva (Buthman) Birks, was born January 18, 1934, in Primghar, Iowa. He grew up in Irwin and attended country school through the eighth grade. Allen graduated from Manilla High School with the class of 1952. He was united in marriage with Joann Neubauer on June 3, 1956 at the Church of Christ in Irwin. Allen and Joann farmed south of Manilla for 25 years. He then worked for Ahrenholtz Fertilizer in Defiance and Farmland in Denison until retiring in 1999. Allen and Joann moved into Manilla in 1985. He was an active member of the Church of Christ in Irwin, where he served as an elder and in other leadership roles. He especially enjoyed singing with the church choir and the Men's Quartet. Allen was a devoted fan of his children and grandchildren's sports teams. Allen died on Tuesday, May 29, 2012, at the Crawford County Memorial Hospital in Denison, Iowa of heart failure. He was 78 years of age. Allen was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife Joann Birks of Manilla; four sons: Mark Birks (Denise) of Sioux Center; David Birks (Jill) of Rockwell City; Jay Birks (Jean) of Carroll; and Joel Birks (Geri) of Missouri Valley; ten grandchildren: Ben Birks (Caley), Bryan Birks, Haley Birks, Allison Birks, Jared Birks, Taylor Birks, Molly Birks, Peyton Birks, Levi Birks, and Eliot Birks; great-grandson Aidan Birks; three siblings: Reva Haskins (Darwin) of Manning; Peggy Ahrenholtz (Roger) of Manilla; and Randy Birks (Rachel) of Irwin; other relatives and friends. Visitation and Prayers Friday, June 1, 2012, 5:00 - 8:00 PM Prayer Service 7:00 PM Ohde Funeral Home, Manilla, Iowa Funeral Service Saturday, June 2, 2012, 10:30 AM Church of Christ, Irwin, Iowa Rev. Ted Sieck, Officiating Congregational Hymns "How Great Thou Art" Peggy Ahrenholtz, Accompanist "I Was There To Hear Your Borning Cry" Allison Birks, Accompanist Casketbearers Ben Birks Bryan Birks Todd Ahrenholtz Troy Ahrenholtz Nate Birks Sean Birks Honorary Casketbearers Haley Birks Allison Birks Jared Birks Taylor Birks Molly Birks Peyton Birks Levi Birks Eliot Birks Interment Oak Hill Cemetery, Irwin, Iowa THE FAMILY WISHES TO EXPRESS THEIR GRATITUDE FOR YOUR KINDNESS EVIDENCED IN THOUGHT, WORD AND DEED AND INVITES YOU TO JOIN THEM FOR LUNCH AND FELLOWSHIP AT THE MANILLA MEMORIAL HALL FOLLOWING THE INTERMENT.