Eileen Bushnell Birkes

Eileen Bushnell Birkes passed away peacefully at her residence of Autumn Park Assisted Living on July 3, 2023 at the age of 79. She was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on September 29, 1943 to Kelleth Delbert and Elna Childs Bushnell.

She attended Highland High School during which Eileen met her husband, William Birkes and later graduated in 1962. They were happily married in the Logan Utah Temple on March 14, 1963. Their family of two daughters and a son started in Salt Lake City and later moved to Centerville for many years. 

She worked several jobs during her lifetime: as a soda jerk, in a gift shop, as a bookkeeper and loved her time at Murdock Travel in accounting. Eileen loved to garden and work in the yard. She took pride that her home was featured in the Centerville City Garden tour. She also loved to do family history work. She was an instrument in finding many names and completed lots of work for her family history. Her love for travel led her to visit many different countries with her husband. She loved being a Grandma and would hold a big Easter egg hunt for the grandkids during their younger years. Her grandkids loved to sleepover; entertained with dress up, ice cream, Disney channel and games. She always had Creamies, Twinkie's and vanilla wafers stocked for them to enjoy. 

Eileen was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints where she served in many different callings and helped plan several "Blue and Gold" banquets. She was also a service missionary for some time working with the finance department for the church, as well as a ward historian in Woods Cross, UT. 

Eileen is preceded in death by her parents, three siblings: Jack, Howard, Joanne and daughter-in-law Jessica Goble Birkes. She is survived by her husband William; daughters Kelly Anderson (Charles), Tracy Strohn (Chris) and Brian Birkes (Jenn); 12 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren with one on the way. Her family was the greatest joy of her life. 

We would like to thank the assisted living nurses that became her family during the last few years of her life as she lived with Alzheimer’s disease. 

A graveside service will be held at the Centerville City Cemetery Thursday, July 13, 2023 at 11 AM. All family and friends are welcome to attend.

We will miss our Wife, Mom, Aunt, Grandma and friend Eileen.. and we are grateful she is finally reunited with her family in Heaven.