Birdie M. Whipps

Birdie M. Whipps, 87, a resident of Dalton, died Tuesday, February 17, 2015, at the Broen Home in Fergus Falls.

She was born May 2, 1927, in Fargo, ND, the daughter of Martin J. and Helena Othelia (Bluhm) Blikstad. She was born on her grandmother, Emma Bluhm’s birthday, so they always celebrated together. She was baptized by her uncle Reverend Bearsvend J. Blikstad. At the age of three, the family moved to Fergus Falls where Birdie attended Lincoln, McKinley and Washington High School.

On February 23, 1947, she was united in marriage to Ellsworth Whipps at Trinity Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls. They lived at Wall Lake where they rented boats and had bait.

In 1970, they moved to a farm near Dalton where Birdie had resided since. In 1983 the couple purchased the bait store in Dalton. They worked together in the bait store and continued to help at the bait store after their children took it over. Birdie enjoyed visiting with the customers and friends who stopped in the store.

Birdie began working for the Star Laundry and Cleaners, working there for over 12 years. She later became a nursing assistant and was employed at the Pioneer Home and the Lake Region Hospital for over 21 years.

She enjoyed her dogs and other animals, flowers, embroidering, drawing, camping, hiking and fishing. She and Ellsworth went on many trips up north by Akeley with their family. Everyone loved going to “Birdie’s Kitchen” for her treats and meals. She took guitar lessons, and along with her husband, played and sang for numerous events. Above all, Birdie loved her family and cherished spending time with family and friends. She was a loving mother and devoted grandmother who always put her family first. She thought a lot of her special daughter-in-law, Becky, whose homemade treats and meals, and kind attention was so appreciated. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Martin and Helena; and her husband, Ellsworth, on April 26, 1993.

She is survived by her sons Gary (Becky) Whipps of Fergus Falls and Jeff Whipps of Dalton; two grandsons, Curtiss (Jessie) Smith and Gary (Santa) Ellsworth Whipps Jr.; six great-grandchildren, Cody (Tara) Smith, Harley Mae Whipps, Odette McKenzie Whipps, Bethany Hope Whipps, Joshua “Little Man” Acuna and Roman Moreno; and two great-great-grandchildren, Shylo and Jacksen.

Visitation: one hour prior to the service at the funeral home
Service: 2 p.m. Tuesday, February 24, 2015, at the Olson Funeral Home Chapel
Clergy: Reverend Roger Lange
Interment: Knollwood Memorial Gardens, Fergus Falls
Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls