John Kirk

John S. Kirk, age 95, of Staples, passed away early Wednesday morning, September 22, 2010 at home. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 am Monday, September 27, 2010 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Staples with the Reverend Lauren Germann officiating. Interment will be in Evergreen Hill Cemetery in Staples. Visitation will be from 4:30 pm until 7:30 pm Sunday, September 26 at the Brenny Funeral Chapel with prayers/rosary at 7 pm. Friends may also gather for one hour prior to the services at the funeral chapel on Monday.

John Stanley Kirk was born on February 7, 1915, in Minneapolis, MN, the son of Peter and Mary Eskierka. He attended St. Hedwigs grade school and Edison High School in Minneapolis. He was in the United States Army for four years and served overseas during World War 2. On August 4, 1951, he was united in marriage to Catharine Ida Brauch in Staples at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. They shared over 57 years of a loving marriage and were blessed with six children. John worked for over 30 years with the State of Minnesota Highway Department, and after his retirement from the state, with the Staples School System for several years. He was active with his church and in his community. He was involved with the Sacred Heart Parish, the Sacred Heart School, the Knights of Columbus, the VFW, and the American Legion.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ida; parents, Peter and Mary; brothers, Theodore, Edward, Eugene, and Chester; sisters, Marie and Stella. Grateful for having shared his life are his 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 Beverly (Terry) Maybon of Baxter, MN; grand children, Kris (Kate) Arnebeck, Mike (Erin) Arnebeck, Laura Arnebeck, Kristin (Jake) Schneider, John Kirk, Kelly Crocker, Katie Crocker, Kendra Crocker, Kyle Crocker, LeeAnn Maybon, Jackie Maybon, and Matthew Maybon; great grandchildren, Jaxon Schneider, Avery Schneider, and Claire Ida Arnebeck; brother, Walter (Marcy);l sisters, Josephine Geyer, and Genevieve Sazenski.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Brenny Funeral Chapel of Staples, Minnesota.