Birr, Joan S.

Joan S. Birr, 74, of Cedar Rapids, died March 5, 2011, in her home following a short illness. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 9, at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories. The Rev. Bill Warhover of Echo Hill Presbyterian Church will officiate. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home. Burial will take place at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.

Survivors include her husband, Thomas G. Birr of Cedar Rapids; two sons, Jeff of Mount Vernon and John Birr and wife Vickie of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; two daughters, Julia O'Niell of Tamarac, Fla., and Kim Birr of Cedar Rapids; four grandchildren, Miranda McAuliffe, Catherine Pittman and husband Roger, Andrew Birr and Kim Birr; great-grandchildren, Juliana Bascom, Gabriella Pittman and Tristin Pittman; her siblings, Shirley Tomlin, Barbara Dudley and husband Larry, Alberta Bushnell and Richard Masek; and many loving and loved relatives through her marriage to Tom.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and brother, Ed Masek.

Joan was born Aug. 7, 1936, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, the daughter of Albert J. and Bertha (Dahlquist) Masek. She was united in marriage to Thomas G. Birr on Sept. 2, 1955, at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Cedar Rapids. She spent over 27 years as the devoted wife of an Air Force pilot; during this time bearing four children. Following her husband's military service, they moved to Boca Raton, Fla., where she worked for several years in church administration. In 1988, she and Tom returned to Cedar Rapids. They acquired ownership of Preferred Property Management and managed it until 2006, when they sold the business and retired.

Joan was a loving and giving mother who successfully raised four children who love her dearly. In recent years, despite failing health, she received great joy in serving the Lord through a variety of volunteer activities. She also enjoyed sewing and ceramics, and loved her five dogs.

Being spiritually reborn, Joan knew the special joy that is experienced when we return to God and receive His grace despite our sins. She is with her Savior and Lord now, but we miss her.

Instead of flowers, contributions may be made to the Lord's work where you worship or where you now will begin to worship.

Please leave a message, tribute or memory to the family on the webpage,  under Obituaries.