Ida Kirk

Ida Kirk, age 82, of Staples, passed away early Thursday morning at the Lakewood Care Center. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 AM Monday, January 26, 2009, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Staples with Rev. Lauren Germann officiating. Interment will be in Evergreen Hill Cemetery at Staples. Visitation will be from 4:30 until 7:30 PM Sunday, with Prayers/Rosary at 7:00 at the Brenny Funeral Chapel of Staples. Friends may also gather for one hour prior to Services at the Funeral Chapel on Monday.
Catharine Ida Kirk was born on June 10, 1926, in Staples, MN, the daughter of Robert W. and Catharine (Reinhard) Brauch. She attended Staples Schools and graduated co-valedictorian of Staples High School in 1944. She attended St. Cloud Teachers College and graduated with a major in Mathematics and a minor in Science. On August 4, 1951, she was united in marriage to John Kirk in Staples at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. They shared over 57 years of a loving marriage and were blessed with 6 children. Ida was a school teacher for over 40 years, helping high school students in Parkers Prairie, Elk River, and the Staples School systems. She taught for many years at Sacred Heart School in Staples. She continued to tutor and help many students during her retirement years.

She was extremely involved as a volunteer in the Staples Community and always worked hard to help others. She was involved with the American Legion Auxiliary, the American Cancer Society Relay for Life, Bosom Buddies, the VFW Auxiliary, Retired Educators of Minnesota and the Senior Citizens Board at the Staples Community Center. Ida was active all of her life with Sacred Heart Church and Parish with countless projects and volunteer work. Ida valued her family, treasured her grandchildren, and enjoyed her many friendships.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert W. and Catharine (Reinhard) Brauch; brother, Charles Brauch; and sisters, Jean Cichy and Elaine Brauch. Grateful for having shared her life are her husband, John of Staples; children, Linda (Gary) Arnebeck of Hibbing, MN, Jack (Debra) Kirk of Blaine, MN, Tom Kirk of Blaine, MN, Bruce Kirk of Gilbert, AZ, Mary Rose (Bruce) Crocker of Baxter, MN, and Bev (Terry) Maybon of Baxter, MN; grandchildren, Kris (Kate), Mike (Erin), and Laura Arnebeck, Kristin (Jake) Schneider, John Kirk, Kelly, Katie, Kendra, and Kyle Crocker, LeeAnn, Jackie, and Matthew Maybon; sisters, Marjorie Forte of Eveleth, MN, Grace (Chris) Schlegel of St. Anthony, MN, and Mary Brauch of Staples; also many other relatives and friends.

The family intends to contribute memorials in Idas name to the American Cancer Society and Sacred Heart Church.