Thallis Birk

Thallis Birk was born in North Dakota, late winter, 1934. She passed away in Kalispell on July 22, 2021.

Waiting to meet her again are her beloved husband, Tom; a daughter and son, Doniell and Tommy; her parents, Henry and Illyhia; brothers and sister, Laverne, Lyle, and Marcella; and untold family and friends.

She is survived by her daughter, Kimberly, and sons, Tim and Bret, and their spouses, 10 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and numerous other family and friends whom she loved.

Mom is a truly beautiful soul. Sometimes I think that fact was more fully recognized and appreciated by those who met her and got to know her a little bit, than by we, to whom she devoted her life. But, entitlement aside, we generally knew we were blessed.

Mom was born on a dairy farm where the family lived until a Missouri River improvement project forewarned the flooding of her hometown and the surrounding river bottomlands, as well as the end of her Dad’s custom grain harvesting business and the dispersal of his dairy customers around the time she was 12 years old. Those facts paint a pretty bleak picture to me, but I never heard Mom speak a bitter word about it. There was no use in complaining.

The family headed West, aiming for the coast and the opportunities it held, but ended up stopping in the first best place they found, Kalispell. Her Dad purchased a small farm, and through the industriousness, he employed in larger-scale enterprises back in North Dakota, made a living. Mom cherished those times and learned to be strong.

She eventually met Tom, they fell in love and got married. They purchased a piece of raw land that they homesteaded, building a home, clearing hay field and pasture, and raising a family.

She traveled fairly extensively, but had never seen enough, and was always eager to see more and regretful of the places that she hadn’t had a chance to visit.

Her signature compassion and love were too great to be entirely consumed by her family. She volunteered for and supported several local organizations and churches by cooking meals, baking her incomparable pies, or monetarily, she always helped where she was aware of a need.

Thallis Birk will be missed badly by all of us who knew and loved her here on earth and will be treasured in heaven.

A memorial service in honor of Thallis will be held on Tuesday, July 27, 2021, at 2 p.m. at Central Christian Church, 248 Second Ave., Kalispell with a reception to follow.

Darlington Cremation and Burial Service is caring for Thallis and her family.