Eileen was born October 13, 1926 and lived until November 13, 2021. She was born in Fort Frances, Ontario to Charles and Elsie Leverance. A graduate of Fort Frances High School, she attended Queens University in Kingston, Ontario, received her teaching certificate and taught at the Ontario School for the Deaf in Bellville. She later earned degrees from Lakehead University in Thunder Bay. She loved studying – and could have become a professional student.
Eileen married James Kirk on June 30, 1949 in Fort Frances and after Jim received his Chemical Engineering degree, they moved to International Falls where they raised their four children. Eileen taught school in International Falls and Fort Frances and retired as the Language Arts Consultant for the Fort Frances Rainy River School District.
She and her husband Jim were part of a group of couples that made 35 annual canoe portage/camping trips into northwest Ontario. The trips weren’t necessarily about the fish, but about the lifelong friendships and wonderful memories.
Eileen was an avid reader, study group member, bridge player, curler, and golfer. After retiring, she volunteered at the food bank, hospital, library, respite care and remained active at Faith United Church of Christ.
Jim and Eileen moved to Prior Lake, Minnesota in 2004 to be closer to their children and grandchildren and Struthers Parkinsons Clinic. While there, they were active in their condo association and Eileen served on a committee to establish the Prior Lake Senior Center. Following Jim’s death in 2006, Eileen remained active in the condo association. Eileen returned to the Falls in 2017.
She was predeceased by her husband Jim, her sister Eunice Hamilton, and brothers-in-law Glen Hamilton, Erl Johnson, Ray Kirk and grandson Joey Kucera, niece Cathy Thompson, and nephews Carl Hamilton and David Kirk.
Eileen said her legacy is her family and she is survived by her children, Kathy Tompkins, Lisa (Dean) Christenson Peggy (Bryan) Ettestad and Rob (Deb) Kirk and 9 grandchildren: Laura, Ben, Andrew, and David Kucera, Max Davis, Amy Untiedt, Adam Ettestad, and Austin and Cameron Kirk, and 12 great grandchildren, Henry, Audrey, Reuben, Rose, Maddie, Wesley, Rory, Gabriel, Anders, Tessa, Ethan, and Oliver. She is also survived by her sister Audrey Johnson , her brother-in-law Basil Kirk and nieces Heather Hosick and Janet Conner and nephew Gary Kirk.
Private family services will be held and inurnment will be at Faith United Church of Christ. Memorials preferred to Faith United Church of Christ or to the donor’s choice.
Condolences may be left on www.greenlarsen.com
Arrangements are with Green-Larsen Mortuary, Inc.
