Joyce Muriel Birk, devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother and daughter of Raymond and Ruth Bergmeier, was born July 6, 1937 in St. Louis, MO. She was baptized during infancy at Our Redeemer Lutheran where she also was confirmed on Palm Sunday 1951. In 1955 she graduated from Cleveland High School and in 1959 she received a B.S. degree in Elementary Education from Central Missouri State University.
Following graduation, she taught in the Lindbergh School District before taking a parenting break to raise her children. In 1975 she returned to the classroom at Blades Elementary in the Mehlville School District. She remained there until retirement in 1994.
Upon retirement she started volunteering at the St. Louis Literacy Council. She also has undertaken other volunteering with Peace Lutheran’s Social Ministry Committee and its outreach to Bosnians and newly arrived immigrants. The latter has involved her, and husband, Jerry with English as a Second Language (ESL), Feed My People, computer literacy, Naturalization, and immigrant sports programs. Together they have helped over 40 people gain their U.S. citizenship.
On June 17, 1960 at Our Redeemer Lutheran Joyce was married to Jerry Herbert Birk. To this union four children were born. They alongside Jerry survive. They with their spouses and offspring are Mark (Valerie) Birk: Bradley (Zineb) Birk: Michele (James) Frisella, and Matthew Birk. Also surviving are the 11 grandchildren: Olivia (Zack), Evan, J.R. (Kristin), Michael, Allison, Braden (Allison), Katie, Jenna, Nick, Lexi, & Lindsey and one great grandchild, Caroline. Dear sister of Richard (Carole) and Roger (Sue), as well as other relatives and a host of friends. Her commitment to and love of her family were unrelenting and her greatest joy.
On November 13, 1967 Joyce and Jerry became communicants at Peace Lutheran where their membership since has remained. Over the years besides serving on Peace’s Social Ministry and Evangelism Committees, Joyce has participated in Ladies Thursday Mary-Martha Bible Study, Chancel Choir, Boar’s Head, VBS, and taught Sunday School.
Joyce enjoyed good health before her sudden departure on Sunday, May 30, 2021 at the age of 83.
Services: Kutis Funeral Home, 5255 Lemay Ferry Road, St. Louis, Missouri, 63129. Visitation: June 2nd, 4:00 – 8:00 pm. Funeral Service: June 3rd, 10:30 am Peace Lutheran Church, 737 Barracksview Road, 63125. Private Graveside Service: Immediately following the Funeral Service at Trinity Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations are appreciated to Feed My People, 171 Kingston, St. Louis MO 63125.
We’ll miss you so much. You have helped our family so much and we will never forget that ❤️
It is so appropriate that ‘joy” was a part of her name. What a joy it was to have Joyce as my ‘next door neighbor’ during the years that we taught together at Blades Elementary. We helped each other in so many ways with advice, by listening, and most of all by being friends. May the Lord bless you and your family and keep you always in his care.
My thoughts prayers and love are with all of you. Aunt Joyce was amazing, compassionate, loving women and will be dearly missed.. Heaven has truly gained another Angel ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
My dear Joyce, you were such a great cousin and we shared so many memorable memories over the years! You will be greatly missed!
Prayers to your family. I will miss you in Silver Sneakers. Always a smile in class to brighten my day.
Joyce, you were one of the most welcoming people we’ve ever had the good fortune of knowing. We will never forget how you helped us as well as many others, all the while being so accepting of everyone. Thank you for all that you’ve done. We will all miss you dearly!
Thinking and praying for the entire family. Joyce was an amazing, kind person who will be missed
Our thoughts and prayers are with your Family. She was such a wonderful person. Always so thoughtful and kind. We will miss her dearly. David and Michelle Gralike
I was so saddened to hear of Joyce’s passing. She was such a dear person. I met her in the late 80’s when I was hired as a teacher assistant for 5th grade. Joyce was welcoming, cheerful, and witty. I enjoyed every day we worked together. I will miss seeing her at our Blades’ luncheons.
We are out of town, so I will miss the Joyce’s service. My sincerest condolences to the family.
RIP Joyce. You served our Lord well in life.
I was so surprised to hear of Joyce’s passing. I am sure it is still a shock to her dear
family. We have known each other since Confirmation days at Our Redeemer and
I was delighted to participate in Joyce and Jerry’s wedding! She was always a dear
friend and easy to talk to. Having just seen them 6 weeks ago makes it even more
difficult to believe! She is now in the arms of her Lord and Savior!