Marie Wirkus

MARIE E. WIRKUS IDAHO FALLS, ID -- Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother passed away in Idaho Falls, Idaho, July 6, 2006 after an extended illness. Marie was born October 30, 1918, in Kaysville, Utah, to Robert Anderson Egbert and Alice Strong, the first of six children, two died at birth. Her parents resided on a dry farm northeast of Tetonia, Idaho, and moved to Idaho Falls in the fall of 1931, and then to Lincoln, Idaho, the following year. Her father farmed, taught elementary school, and served as school principal. Marie was an excellent student and was able to skip two grades during elementary school. She graduated from Idaho Falls High School in 1935 and from Ricks College in 1938. She obtained a teaching certificate and taught elementary school for six years at Wilford, Idaho, and Lincoln. Marie served as a missionary for the Northern States Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during the summer of 1944. While serving in Decatur, Illinois, she met another missionary from her home town, Erwin Emil Wirkus. They were married and sealed for all eternity on March 30, 1945 in the Salt Lake Temple. Erwin was in the military at the time and spent the next year in the Philippines and Korea. After his return, the couple lived in several locations, as he attended school and worked. In 1951, they moved into the house Erwin built in Lincoln, where they have since resided. Erwin was an elementary school teacher, seminary teacher and principal. Marie faithfully supported him during many prominent Church callings including bishop, stake president, mission president, patriarch, and counselor in a temple presidency. A person of many talents, Marie was a gifted student, an avid reader, musician, seamstress, writer, and homemaker. She had a tremendous command of the English language and loved writing poems and stories, and was expert at doing cross word puzzles. She played the piano, organ, and accordion. She had great sense of humor and was adept at making puns. Over the years, Marie hosted and served many General Authorities who visited her home during stake conference assignments. She served in many Church callings including teaching positions and in ward and stake Primary presidencies. She was a “mission mother” to hundreds of elders and sisters serving in the Vienna Austria and Des Moines Iowa missions while her husband served as a mission president, and was an assistant temple matron in the Idaho Falls Temple while her husband served in the temple presidency. She is survived by her husband; one brother, William (Bill) Egbert, Ogden, Utah; six children: Maryann (Dean) Jenkins, Sacramento, CA; Susan (Ross) Clement, South Jordan, UT; Annette (Neal) Scott, Idaho Falls; Karl (Kerry), Boise, ID; Paul (Janice), Salt Lake City, UT; Marta (John) Ahlstrom, South Jordan; 24 grandchildren, and 26 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, July 10, 2006, at the Idaho Falls LDS Lincoln 2nd Ward (3700 East Lincoln Road), with Bishop Kent Gauchay officiating. The family will visit with friends on Sunday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Wood Funeral Home (273 N. Ridge) and Monday for one hour prior to the services at the church. Burial will be in Lincoln Cemetery. The family acknowledges and appreciates the kindness extended by those who assisted in her care. ------------------------------------------------------- Condolences sent online: Christina Babbitt Longhurst clonghurst@reaveley.com President Wirkus, Paul and Marta, my prayers are with you at this time of loss. You friendship and leadership has changed my life as I served under you in Des Moines as a missionary. I send my love to you all. Love Sister Babbitt Jill Murray Williams gjwilliams@tatonka.myrf.net Neal & Annette Scott and Erwin Wirkus, We are so sorry to hear about your wife and mother's passing. Even though we know the plan, it is still hard to lose such a special presence. Our prayers and thoughts are with you that you may be comforted and that you may feel of her spirit. Take care and watch over each other! With love, Kevin & Sherri Murray Gary & Jill Williams Brad & Adrienne Murray Blake & Breanna Murray Jena & J.C. Howell Blaine Murray Jamie Murray Jim and Annette Spaulding vinyljim@cableone.net What a beautiful person and great Mission Mom! The example set by her will always be remembered. President, our hearts go out to you at this time of loss, we pray for your comfort and well being. All our love to you and your family. We love you. The Spauldings C. Jay Kindred mkindred@hotmail.com Dear Pres. Wirkus, Jay and I want you to know that our prayers and hearts are with you at this special time. You and Marie have been wonderful friends and examples to us and our family over the years. Thank you for your example and loving hearts as you have served your family, the community and the Lord. Jay and Miriam Kindred Doug & Shirley Hendricks sh-ut@comcast.net Dearest Brother Wirkus. It is with a sad heat we learn of the passing of your most precious wife. Please know you are in our prayers, that you will be at peace and know all is well. Such sweet memories we have of the Church history tour we took with you both at the helm. And, of course, I will always treasure my seminary days as I learned at your feet. What special people you and Sister Wirkus are. With much love Doug and Shirley (Aird) Hendricks Julie(Cable)Shannon Juliesh6@aol.com Dear President Wirkus &family, I'm sorry to hear of Sister Wirkus passing. Dale Handy called me yesterday and told me. I'm really going to miss her. She's a sweet, humble lady. I have a lot of special memories of you both in the Iowa Des Moines Mission. Love, Julie Shannon