Roger C. Birk

Roger Charles Birk, 77, Red Wing, died peacefully at his home, on Sunday, April 14, 2013. He was born March 27, 1936 in Hastings, MN, the son of Theodore and Marie (Peine) Birk. He grew up in the Coates/Vermillion area and attended Hastings schools. He worked on the family farm before enlisting in the U. S. Navy in 1956. Following his discharge in 1957, he drove school bus and rendering truck until beginning farming full-time. He married Janice Rusch on October 17, 1958 in Red Wing and they lived on the "Vasa Home Farm" until 1983 when they moved to his parents' farm. He was a member of the Church of Saint Joseph and was formerly a member of a bowling league and a card playing club. He enjoyed visiting with his friends at The Pantry, life on the farm, and was an avid sports fan for the MN Twins, MN Vikings and attending stock car races.

Survivors include his wife, Janice of Red Wing, four daughters: Cheryl (Oscar "Perk" Perkinson, Julie Birk (Mark) Betcher, Susan (Brad) Cushing and Darla (Scott Maskrey) Reese, all of Red Wing; eight grandchildren: Christi Perkinson, Aaron Betcher, Zach (Vanessa) Betcher, Megan Betcher, Colleen (Ryan) Anderson, Haley (Joe Peterson) Cushing, Cassandra (Chris Adolph) and Kayla (Lucas Roschen) Reese; four step-grandchildren: Jennifer (John) Wampler, Melissa (Bryan) DeLorimier, Holly (Jason) Bennett and Kristine Dodge; three great-grandchildren, Brennan and Bryleigh Anderson and Hailey Betcher; nine step-great-grandchildren; three sisters: Mary (Dick) Shea of Avalon, NJ, Marlene (Phil) Flynn of Plymouth, MN and Andrea (Bob) Gygi of Eau Claire, WI; two brothers: Charles (Bonnie) Birk of Red Wing and Gary (Carla) Birk of Red Wing; mother-in-law, Ruth Rusch of Red Wing and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by an infant son, Randy; his parents; twin granddaughters, Brianna and Braunwynn; one sister, Jeanne Birk and a step-great-grandson, Brady.

Mass of the Resurrection will be 11 a.m., Thursday, April 18, 2013 at the Church of St. Joseph, with Father Thomas M. Kommers presiding. Visitation will be 4 - 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 17, 2013 at Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel, Red Wing, and on Thursday for one hour prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to American Cancer Society, the Red Wing Area Hospice or Church of Saint Joseph.

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Visitation

APR 17. 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM (CDT)

Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel
602 Plum Street P.O. Box 111
Red Wing, MN 55066