Mildred Marie Birk

Mildred Marie Birk, 93, of Cape Girardeau, formerly of Jackson, passed away Monday, Oct. 30, 2017, at Chateau Girardeau in Cape Girardeau.

She was born Feb. 11, 1924, in Sedgewickville, Missouri, to Thomas E. and Elizabeth K. Ellis Bollinger. Marie attended grade school in Sedgewickville, and graduated from the former Patton High School. She and Deral D. Hartle were married Oct. 4, 1941. They had one daughter, Nancy. Deral perished on March 3, 1944, while serving in the U.S. Air Force during World War II. She and Joseph A. "Allen" Birk were married Sept. 16, 1946. They had two children, Sandra "Sandy" and Robert "Bob." They had been married 38 1/2 years when Allen died, due to an automobile accident, on May 20, 1985.

In 1946, she earned her cosmetology license from the former Cape Girardeau School of Beauty and Culture.

Marie owned and operated the former Marie's Beauty Shop in Jackson, worked several years as a sales agent for the former Strack Real Estate in Jackson, and later worked in the bakery at the former Schaper's IGA in Jackson. Marie was a longtime member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jackson where she enjoyed attending Saints Alive gatherings and formerly served as chairman of the Benevolent Committee. She was also a member of Chapter DJ PEO in Cape Girardeau.

Marie was an avid reader. She had always enjoyed playing cards especially the challenging game of bridge. She had been a wonderful cook, which is perhaps the reason her TV was turned either to the Food Channel or to Fox News as she continued to be interested in current events.

But the things dearest to her heart were her family, her many friendships and her relationship to the Lord, all of which were undoubtedly sources of great joy, peace and contentment for her.

She and her family are greatly appreciative of the excellent care she received from the staffs of both Chateau Girardeau and Southeast Hospice. Their overwhelming compassion and consideration of her dignity made her remaining days amazingly peaceful and pleasant.

Loving survivors include two children, Nancy (Jerry) Stone of Cape Girardeau and Robert (Leigh Ann) Birk of Huntsville, Alabama; five grandchildren: Stephanie (Kent) Zimmerman of O'Fallon, Illinois; Chris (Katie) Molitor of Kirkwood, Missouri; Kathryn "Katie" Molitor of Brentwood, Tennessee; Rebecca (Brandon) Cortese of Franklin, Tennessee and Amanda Birk of Nashville; six great-grandchildren: Kaylie Bowman; Sarah, Sophie, and Joey Molitor; Zachary and Zoey Zimmerman; and a brother, Jim Bollinger of Neosho, Missouri.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Tom and Elizabeth "Lizzie" Bollinger; her first and second husbands, Deral Hartle and Joseph "Allen" Birk; a daughter, Sandra J. Molitor; a granddaughter, Sarah E. Molitor; two infant great-grandchildren, Lee and Jackson Tharpe; two siblings, Guyle Bollinger and Ann Seabaugh; and a sister-in-law, June Bollinger.

Visitation is from 11 a.m. to service time Sunday at McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson.

The funeral is at 1 p.m. Sunday, at the funeral home, with the Rev. Jason Shaw officiating. Burial will follow at Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to Chateau Girardeau Foundation, 3120 Independence; Cape Girardeau, MO 63703, or Southeast Hospice, #10 Doctors' Park, Cape Girardeau, MO 63703.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.