Birgit Mankins, 73, of Baker City, died May 20, 2008, at St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise after a short illness.
At her request their will be no memorial service.
Mrs. Mankins was born August 19, 1934 in Copenhagen, Denmark. She grew up in Copenhagen during the German occupation of World War II. She and her family endured many hardships at the hands of the Germans, yet she graduated from high school and went on to graduate from nursing school.
Shortly after graduating she took a job in Braintree, Essex, England, where she met the love of her life, Peter Mankins. They were married August 4, 1956 at her family home in Copenhagen.
Over the next 27 years she followed her husband around the world, fulfilling her role as a military wife, becoming an American citizen, raising their children and making many life-long friends. In 1979 she and her husband settled in Baker City after his retirement where “the beauty of the valley beckoned them.”
She worked with her husband in his lawn-mowing business and cleaned homes for a number of people. When time permitted she enjoyed fishing, hunting, and traveling with her husband as well as reading all varieties of books and performing needlework.
In 2000, after the death of her husband, she made a number of trips back to Denmark to visit family, continued cleaning homes and realized a dream of visiting Alaska.
Birgit Mankins is survived by her children, Kirsten Michael and husband Forrest of Cherokee, Okla.; grandsons Jeremiah Mankins and wife Melissa of Commerce, Okla., Peter Mankins of Baker City, Eric Michael and wife Kendra of Moore, Oklahoma, Stephen Michael and wife Pamela of Shelby Township, Detroit, Michigan; half-brother Bruno Kohan of Copenhagen, Denmark; and great-grandsons Ryan and Kolton Mankins of Commerce, Okla., plus many nieces and nephews and many friends.
Mrs. Mankins was preceded in death by her husband, Peter Mankins; son John Mankins; sister Gyett Jund; and her parents.
Memorial contributions may be made to Pathway Hospice, or to a charity of one’s choice in care of Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City, OR 97814.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, May 28, 2008
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor