Jane Dorothy Kirk

Jane Kirk age 72 of Balaton, MN died Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at the Sanford-Sioux Valley Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD. Services will be held 2:00 PM Monday, January 11, 2010 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Balaton. Visitation will be from 3:00 until 7:00 PM Sunday, January 10, 2010 at the Almlie Funeral Home in Balaton, with a prayer service at 7:00 PM. Interment will be in the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Balaton. The Almlie Funeral Home of Balaton is handling the arrangements. Jane Dorothy (VanWinkle) Kirk was born to Glen and Luella VanWinkle on October 1, 1937 in Custer Township, Lyon County, Minnesota. She was baptized (11/12/37) and was later confirmed (4/13/52) at Trinity Lutheran Church in Balaton, Minnesota. She was raised on a farm in Lyon County and attended country school District #52 through eighth grade and graduated from Balaton High School in 1955. On July 14, 1955, Jane married Raymond Kirk at Trinity Lutheran Church. The couple lived in Fort Knox, Kentucky for a few months before Ray was sent overseas to Japan for 16 months. After his return, they lived in a few various homes before settling into the same farm site in Custer Township that Jane was born on. Jane lived the last 51 years of her life with Ray at this home. In their 54 years of marriage, they were blessed with six children. Jane worked various jobs in the area early on in her life, but she devoted most of her life to caring for her children and working alongside Ray on the farm. Jane had a “gift for gab” and over the years, she made many friendships that lasted a lifetime. Twenty years ago, Jane was diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease likely from adverse effects of farm chemicals she was exposed to over the years, but she continued to have a zest for life and had a huge impact on everyone around her. Jane courageously fought with all she had, but finally lost her earthly battle for life and passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at the Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota at the age of 72 years, three months and five days. Jane enjoyed visiting with family and friends, playing games and cards, gardening, playing Bingo and watching her children and grandchildren in sporting events. She had an amazing sense of humor and always lightened the mood with her presence. She was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church and the Balaton American Legion Auxiliary. She loved softball and played for Balaton Blue Denim for many, many years. Jane also enjoyed playing the piano, organ and accordion and could play any melody by ear, a musical trait she inherited from her father. Jane is lovingly remembered by her husband Ray; five children: Doug (and Jill) Kirk of Breckenridge, TX, Deb (and Darwin) Saxton of Tracy, MN, Julie (and Cary) Jones of Balaton, MN, Dan “Hondo” (and Pam) Kirk of Balaton, MN and Jenny (and Bernie Przymus) Kirk of Balaton, MN; 23 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren; brothers Arnold (and Helen) VanWinkle of Balaton, MN and Dean (and Rosie) VanWinkle of New Ulm, MN; sisters Irma Fedde of Balaton, MN and Betty (and Royal) Johnson of Apache Junction, AZ; and many other relatives and friends. Her infant daughter, Brenda Lou and her parents preceded her in death.