Marjorie Eula (Lais) Birky, 83

Marjorie Eula (Lais) Birky, 83, passed away Wednesday, July 23, 2008, at her home in Kalispell. She was born March 1, 1925, in Hubbard, Ore., to Daniel and Ellen (Egli) Lais.

She married the love of her life, Ezra Birky, on Dec. 31, 1948, in Hubbard. From 1943 to 1945, she attended Hesston High School and Beulah College, graduating in 1947. After marrying Ezra, Marjorie moved from Oregon to Montana, where she became the financial bookkeeper for the logging and sawmill business Ezra ran with his father and brothers. She remained the bookkeeper until Ezra's retirement.

She was a member of the Mountain View Mennonite Church, where she was lead chorister for many years, continuing to enjoy music that she had become involved in during her years in school.

Marjorie was a special mother to six adopted children as well as many foster children, all of whom she took pride in. "Time is not measured by the years that you live, but by the deeds that you do and the joy that you give," was her motto.

Marjorie was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Phillip; eight sisters, Orpha Fisher, Celesta Lais, Mary Kenegy, Lena Blair, Susanah Stanerson, Dorothy Gingerich, Lily Berkey and Ruth Zehr; and two brothers, John and Frank Lais.

Marjorie is survived by her husband, Ezra Birky, of Kalispell; two adopted daughters, Ellen Lehman of Kalispell, and Susan Birky of Boulder, Colo.; three adopted sons, Ian Birky and his wife, Bev, of Bethlehem, Pa., Michael Birky and his wife, Marie, of Columbia Falls, and Vance Birky and his wife, Brenda, of Kalispell; three sisters, Frances Hoover of Goshen, Ind., Evelyn Birky of Kalispell, and Vera Garber of Hubbard; 12 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Marjorie will be held at 11:30 a.m. Monday, July 28, at the Mountain View Mennonite Church, with Pastor Jeryl Hollinger officiating. Burial will be held at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 27, at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home.

The family suggests memorial gifts be given to Home Options Hospice, 175 Commons Loop, Suite No. 100, Kalispell, MT 59901.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Marjorie's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and sign Marjorie's guest book.