Sarah M. Birkhofer

SIOUX CITY -- Sarah Marie "Sally" Birkhofer of Sioux City joined her heavenly father Monday, Dec. 28, 2009, at a Sioux City hospital following a sudden heart attack surrounded by her family and friends. She was comforted by the prayers of many in her final hours.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Wesley United Methodist Church, 3700 Indian Hills Blvd., with the Rev. Laurice Streyffeler officiating. Sally will be laid to rest in Memorial Park Cemetery next to her husband, father, mother and brother. Visitation with the family will be 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, with a prayer service at 7 p.m. at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Condolences may be sent online to meyerbroschapels.com.

Sally was born to Rex and Helen Yockey on Feb. 15, 1934, in Sioux City, where she was a lifelong resident. She was the third of five children. She graduated from Leeds High School in 1952, before attending Morningside College in Sioux City. There she met her husband, Denver Birkhofer, who passed away in March 2008. They would have been married for 54 years.

Sally loved wildlife and spent many hours feeding and observing the nature of her backyard. An avid reader, her living room was lined with overflowing book shelves, particularly those on religious studies and devotions. She was very strong in the Lord and was a life member of Wesley United Methodist Church. She adored her four grandchildren and her life was filled with magic moments spent with them.

Survivors include a son and his wife, Rick and Terri Birkhofer of Sioux City; two daughters, Vicki Birkhofer of Sioux City and Cathy Birkhofer of Sioux Falls, S.D.; four grandchildren, Nathaniel Birkhofer of Wichita, Kan., Nicolas Birkhofer of Sioux City and twins, Casandra and Catrina of Sioux Falls; three brothers and their wives, Dr. William and Verlie Yockey of Sioux City, Bruce and Carolyn Yockey of Sioux City and Terry and Joanie Yockey of Salt Lake City, Utah; a sister, Virginia Yockey of Le Mars, Iowa; and many nieces, nephews and extended family.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Denver; her mother, Helen; her father, Rex; and her older brother, Rene Yockey.

Pallbearers will be Nathaniel's longtime friends, whom she affectionately referred to as the "pool sharks" because they spent their high school years shooting pool in her basement -- Steve Campbell, Corey Jorgensen, Tyler Tasker, Tom Streeter, her nephew, Randy Yockey and longtime family friend, Joel Tasker.

Memorials may be sent to Wesley United Methodist Church of Sioux City. Your favorite charity or flowers are welcomed. The family wishes to memorialize Sally as you desire as that is how she always thought of others first.