Thomas J. Birk

Thomas J. Birk

Thomas J. Birk, age 92 of Grafton, passed away on Friday, July 8, 2011 at his daughter's home in Bemidji.

Thomas J. Birk was born March 3, 1919 in Fertile Township near Grafton, ND, the son of the late Ingrebret and Mary (Larson) Birk. He attended Monson School and graduated from the Walsh County Agricultural School in Park River. Following his education, he farmed with his brother Bardon. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1939-1945. Following his discharge, he returned to farming with his brother until 1969. He married Eleanor Misialek Ivesdal on March 3, 1969 in Grafton. He worked on the missile sites around the state of North Dakota until 1982 when he retired. He then started working for Torkelson Farms and later worked as a custodian at Grafton Central School and Upper Valley School, retiring again at age 80. He moved to Bemidji on April 1, 2011.

He was a member of St. John's Catholic Church, Grafton American Legion Post #41, and the Grafton V.F.W. Post #9367.

He is survived by his daughter Joy (Dennis) Buchholtz, Bemidji, MN, granddaughter Kelsey Buchholtz, the apple of his eye, of Winsted, MN. Several nieces and nephews also survive along with his faithful companion, Fred, his cat. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Eleanor on September 9, 1995, sisters: Matalda, Ruth, and Elsie, and brothers: Fritz and Bardon.

Funeral services will be on Tuesday, July 12, 2011 at 3:00 P.M. at the Tollefson Funeral Home of Grafton.

Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Military rites will be provided by the Grafton American Legion and North Dakota National Guard Honor Guard.

An online guestbook is available at: www.tollefsonfuneralhome.com.

The Tollefson Funeral Home of Grafton is in charge of the arrangements.

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