Rena Birch

RENA BIRCH IDAHO FALLS, ID -- Rena Pappas Birch, 91, of Idaho Falls, passed away September 4, 2006, at her home following a brief illness. She was under the care of her loving family and Aspen Home Health & Hospice. Rena was born June 20, 1915, in Chicago Heights, Illinois, the fourth of five children born to Theodore Pappas and Bessie Nikitos Pappas, natives of Greece who emigrated to Chicago. She and her older brothers Pete, Frank, and Jim, were later joined by a sister, Freda. Rena grew up in Chicago Heights and attended public schools there. Her family was large and happy and enjoyed many activities together. They loved baseball and were staunch Chicago Cubs fans. Rena was able to meet some of the Cubs players that were friends of the family, including Dizzy and Vance Dean. Following high school Rena went to work in the office at Baskin's Clothing Store in Chicago. She very much enjoyed her job and always had fond memories of her time there. Rena married Dean Stephen Birch, of Wilford, Idaho, whom she met through mutual friends a year and a half earlier, on November 12, 1945, in Chicago, Illinois. Dean was serving in the U. S. Navy as an aviator and was stationed in the Chicago area until 1945. In 1948 they moved to Idaho because Dean’s bouts with malaria while serving in the Solomon Islands left him in need of a dryer climate. They settled in the farming community of St. Anthony, just a few miles northwest of Dean's childhood home in Wilford. Dean and Rena welcomed their first son, William "Bill," in 1947, and added James "Jim" to the family in 1949. Rena's family was her first priority and she devoted her life to them. She was an immaculate housekeeper and loved caring for her home and yard. Rena was active in PTA and baseball with her boys all through their growing up years. Rena and Dean moved to Idaho Falls nine years ago. Rena was a member of the Greek Orthodox Church and enjoyed attending services when she could. She loved gardening, sewing, cooking, and crocheting, which she learned from her mother, and excelled in all of them. In her early years she enjoyed playing the piano. Surviving are: Her Husband of 61 years: Dean Birch of Idaho Falls, ID Son: Bill (Patty) Birch of Newport Beach, CA Son: Jim (Susan) Birch of Boulder, CO 4 Grandchildren, Kimberly Birch of Irvine, CA; Amy Birch of Denver, CO; and Ally Birch and Max Birch of Newport Beach, CA. Sister-In-Law: Mary Pappas of Chicago, IL and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, Pete, Frank, and Jim, and her sister, Freda Faulkner. It was Rena’s wish that no public funeral services be held. ----------------------------------------------------- Condolences sent online: Danny & Bonnie Moss bonniemoss4@juno.com I would like to send my condolences to Uncle Dean and the boys. I am sorry to hear that Rena had passed away. She was a very lovely woman. We would have liked to have known her better. Hope that you will soon heal from her passing.