Virginia Ann Birkey

Virginia Ann (Bute) Birkey was called home to glory Wednesday, May 22, 2013 after a year and a half long battle with cancer. She went peacefully in her home surrounded by her family. Virginia was born November 24, 1929 to James and Mattie Bute in Jackson County, MN, the second of 4 children. She grew up on their farm in Minnesota. At 18 she met her husband, Joseph (Joe) Birkey at a church function. They were married on her parents' farm June 7, 1951 and journeyed together for nearly 62 years. Dad and Mom took over the family farm in Manson, Iowa and, to their union, 4 children were born. Timothy, Sue, Donna, and Jody. Later on, Richard, Neal Joe and Diane were added to the family. Mom dedicated her life to her family - working alongside Dad on the farm and, later, keeping the home fires burning as he took up long haul trucking. They moved to Los Animas, Colorado in 1976 where Dad worked in a feed mill and Mom was able to fulfill her dream of becoming a nurse. In May of 1980, at age 50, she graduated from La Junta Community College with a nursing degree. Shortly thereafter the family moved to Twin Falls, Idaho, where she worked for Magic Valley Regional Medical Center and home health as a nurse. At age 60, Virginia changed careers by completing truck-driving school and joined Joe on the road for 12 years. She did it all except backing the rig up - that was his chore! They became owner-operators for Willis Shaw out of Boise. "JellyBean" and "BlueBird" saw many different parts of the country and had a wonderful time together. Her hobbies included gardening, reading, knitting, crocheting and cross-stitch, but her favorite one was spoiling her grandkids and eventually, her great-grandkids! "Grandma B" always had time to spend with them and they provided great entertainment for both her and "Papa Joe". Virginia is survived by her devoted husband Joe, and her children: Sue(Bob) Jones of Twin Falls, Donna (Chris) Forsyth of Edmonds, WA, Jody (Jon) Elphic of Belmond, Iowa, Richard (Stephanie) Birkey of Twin Falls and Diane Birkey (Grant) of Sierra Vista, Arizona, sixteen grandchildren and seventeen great grandchildren and multiple nieces and nephews. Sons Timothy Allen and Neal Joseph, grandson Christopher Petersen, her parents and one sister preceded her in death. The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude and thanks to Shelly of Visions Home Health and Lindsay and the staff at Hospice Visions for the wonderful care and support over the last year and a half. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made to Hospice Visions or Visions Home Health, 1770 Parkview Dr., Twin Falls, ID, 83301. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, May 28 at 10:00 a.m. at Grace Baptist Church, 798 Eastland Dr. N., Twin Falls.