The Life of EUGENE MAURICE BIRLINGMAIR
Eugene Maurice Birlingmair, 85, died Thursday, July 7, 2011, from kidney failure at Memorial Veterans Hospital in Columbia, Missouri. Gene was born August 10, 1925 in Osceola, Iowa, the son of Maurice Edgar Birlingmair and Ollie Yates Birlingmair. He and his wife Shirley are residents of Alamo, Texas and previously lived in Des Moines and Ankeny, Iowa, and Gravois Mills and Clinton, Missouri. For each of the last 8 years they spent 6 months on the Lake of the Ozarks at Sunrise Beach, Missouri.
Eugene was united in marriage to Shirley Lois Phipps, daughter of Miles and Wynna (Andrew) Phipps, on December 31, 1947 in Humeston, Iowa. To this union were born Barbara Joan and Kenneth Eugene.
Gene grew up on a farm north of Davis City, Iowa, and recalled he often picked 100 bushels of corn in a day for $8.00. He graduated from Humeston High School in 1942, enlisted in the United States Army in 1944 and served in the 108thInfantry, 40thDivision Company. In May, 1945, he was one of the men who made a beachhead on Mindanao Island in the Philippines. He was shot and wounded in Mangima Canyon and received the Purple Heart for his service. He did not speak of his war experiences until he found members of his unit in 1996. Years later he recorded his experience in his Book of Memories and in his story, The Last Fox Hole. In 2010 he visited the World War II Monument in Washington, D.C. as a member of the Honor Flight.
After the war, Gene could not farm with his disabled arm, and became a furnace man. He worked for over 20 years at Van Dyke Furnace Companybefore becoming an owner of Custom Air Heating and Cooling in Des Moines. He later worked the counter at Wayne Dennis Supply Company until he retired in 1988.Over the years he was a member of RSES (Refrigeration Service Engineers Society) and he and Shirley enjoyed cruises, trips and fun with this group.
Gene and Shirley had a zest and love for life and people that kept them involved and excited as they embraced each new experience. They were active participants in their children’s activities and Gene was inducted into the Hall of Fame with Fort Des Moines Little League. He waterskied and pulled his kids and grandkids many miles behind Boy Toy I, II and III. Their love of boating and the water lead to years of involvement with the United States Power Squadron. They loved camping and RV-ing, nature, and the open road, and kept in touch over the years with many of the friends they met along the way. Gene and Shirley have been involved in and contributed to many organizations and have had an impact on many people. They are currently members of Ozark Chapel United Methodist Church in Laurie, Missouri, and are honorary members of Ozark Winnies Winnebago Club.
Gene loved the Iowa State Fair, and he had a record of attendance for nearly 70 years. He and Shirley had a camp site at the fair, even after they moved to Missouri. He helped others enjoy the fair while working as an exceptional volunteer for both the Blue Ribbon Foundation and the State Fair Volunteers, where he and Shirley received their 10 year recognition awards.
At home, they worked together, gardening, canning, boating, visiting, planning or playing. They entertained, and volunteered, and shared their enthusiasm for life with all they met. Gene fed the birds, tried to outsmart the squirrels, and walked, and rode his bike to keep his damaged heart healthy. He followed the St. Louis Cardinals, enjoyed music, dancing, and playing pool and poker. They set together on the deck and watched the ducks and herons and lake activity. He had a lot of fun telling a good story.
With Shirley’s help he was tech-savvy and was proud of their wireless computer and fancy phone. He hated to throw anything away and knew how to fix almost everything. He spent hours thinking and problem-solving and always had a long list of things he wanted to accomplish. Gene loved their pets, and loved the years at Winter Ranch in Alamo, Texas, and the summers at the Lake of the Ozarks.
Above all, Gene loved Shirley, and their dog Gracie Mae, and was extremely proud of each member of their family.
Gene is survived by his loving wife, Shirley, daughter Barbara Joan (Frank) Rasko, Indianola, Iowa; son Kenneth Eugene (Amy) Birlingmair, Smithville, Missouri; former daughter-in law Jean (Crigler) Birlingmair, Des Moines, Iowa; grandchildren Nathan Rasko, Sunrise Beach, Missouri; Aaron (Kim) Rasko, Indianola, Iowa; Christopher Scott (Aimee) Birlingmair, Gladstone, Missouri; Sarah Kristine (Charles) Leonard, Saint Charles, Iowa; and Mackinsey Akerke Birlingmair, Smithville, Missouri. Great-grandchildren are Taylor Kay and Trinity Grace Leonard, St.Charles, Iowa; Alexanderia Catherine (Lexi) and Shannon Elizabeth Birlingmair, Gladstone, Missouri; and Logan Kenneth and Olivia Mae Rasko, Indianola, Iowa. He is also survived by sister-in laws Nadine (Elsworth) Birlingmair, Humeston, Iowa; Beverly (Babbs) Phipps, Holly Springs, Mississippi; and brother-in-law Dennis Owen (Dorothy) Phipps, Pleasantville, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews and friends across the country.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents, his mother and father- in-law, his siblings and their spouses: Mary Emma and Chance Mitchell; Martha Evelyn and Bennie Hughes; Marna Erma and Millard Thomas and George Birlingmair; and also brother-in-law Gail Douglas Phipps, and nephews David Allen Phipps and David Edgar Birlingmair.
Gene’s funeral will be held Monday, July 11, 2011, at Hamilton’s Funeral Home with internment and full military honors at Highland Memory Gardens, 121 N.W. 60th Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa.