Wallowa County Chieftain
4/27/2006

Glenn Kirkeby died April 22, 2006, at his home in Wallowa. He was 78.

Mr. Kirkeby was born Sept. 3, 1927, in Bellingham, Minn., to George and Margaret (Orr) Kirkeby. He graduated from Bellingham High School in 1945. In 1945 he moved along with his parents to Elgin. He was drafted into the U.S. Army and spent 18 months stationed in Hanford, Wash. After his service, he attended and graduated from Eastern Oregon College.

In 1949 he married Iris Vogel and moved to Forest Grove, where he worked for Forest Grove National Bank. In 1959 he returned to Elgin, where he worked with his parents at First State Bank of Elgin and later became president of the bank. During this time he was a member of the Oregon State Bankers Association and president of the Western Independent Bankers Association. During his time in Elgin he served on the Board of Trustees of Grande Ronde Hospital and was president of that organization from 1977 to 1981. He was also a member of La Grande Country Club, Elgin Chamber of Commerce and was involved in many other local organizations. He was a lifelong member of the Elgin Masonic Lodge and was instrumental in the creation of the Elgin Community Center.

He retired to Wallowa and was active on the Board of Directors of the City of Wallowa Library, the local AARP chapter and was a member of the Alpine Meadows Golf Course. He loved to golf, garden and spend time with his family.

He is survived by his wife Iris of Wallowa, son and daughter-in-law Steve and Veria Kirkeby, daughter and son-in-law Becky and John Keller of La Grande, five grandchildren Jennifer, Courtney, Stephanie, Ashlee and JC and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Orrin, a son Kim and two grand daughters Lee Ann and Kenna Lee.

Donations can be made to the Shriner's Hospital in lieu of flowers, care of Bollman Funeral Home 315 W Main St., Enterprise, OR 97828.

Graveside Services will be held Thursday at 1 p.m. at the Elgin Cemetery.