Nellie Ruth Birk of Gridley, Kansas, died peacefully in her sleep on August 7, 2022 , at the age of 93 .

B orn on March 18, 1929 to Lloyd and Bessie Wright Steele, in Burlington, Kansas , Nellie was the oldest of seven and the only daughter.

She grew up in Burlington, where she graduated from Burlington High School in 1947. Nellie met Ron Birk on a blind date in 194 6 . Th is b e gan a 5 5- year love affair. They were married in Kansas City on April 2, 1947 in an elopement which she said was one of the happiest days of her life .

Together the y raised four c hildren , hosted numerous hunting and fishing parties, served many local and national civic organizations, traveled the world, and lived to enjoy time with grandchildren and great-grandchildren .

Nellie's faith in God defined her from a young age and shaped the ways that she loved her family and friends, the natural world , her country and everything she came into contact with. She was an active member of Gridley Christian Church and her local community in Gridley, Kansas. In 1980, Nellie was honored to be Kansas State President of American Legion Ladies Auxiliary and was a member of the Eastern Star for over 70 years.

Nellie is survived by her brother Charles Steele of Topeka, Kansas ; four children, Steve (Theresa) of Elkin, West Virginia, Alan (Janet) of Gridley, Kansas, Linda Morrison (Larry) of Iola, Kansas, David (Debby) of Overland Park, Kansas; eleven grandchildren, nineteen great-grandchildren and one great-great grandson.

She was preceded in death by her precious husband, Ron in July 2001.

The family has entrusted Jones Funeral Home in Burlington, KS with the arrangements . A funeral service is scheduled for Saturday, August 13, 2022 at Jones Funeral Home at 2pm . A visitation will precede the service at 1pm. Burial will be in the Gridley Cemetery.

Donations can be sent to Gridley Christian Church or American Legion Auxiliary in honor of Nellie's life and may be sent to Jones Funeral Home, P.O. Box 277, Burlington, KS 66839.