Manley ‘Pete’ Kirby - Brookings

March 4, 1942 – July 7, 2018

Posted

Manley Arthur “Pete” Kirby, 76, of Brookings, died Saturday, July 7, 2018, at the Arlington Care and Rehabilitation Center. 

Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, July 13, at Ascension Lutheran Church in Brookings. Visitation will be held prior to the service beginning at noon. Pete requested that all who attend come casually wearing blue jeans.

Pete requested that memorials of canned goods be given to the Brookings Food Pantry.

Manley Arthur Kirby was born on a farm south of Aurora on March 4, 1942, son of Mann and Dorothy (Nebendahl) Kirby.  He spent his early years in Aurora and received his education in Aurora.  

Manley served in the United States Navy from 1960 to 1963 at Corpus Christi, Texas, and Midway Island.  After his honorable discharge he returned to the Aurora area.

He began employment with Sokota Hybrids (later owned by Agri Pro) and worked there for 31 years, where he spent many years working in sunflower research. He also worked for Larson Manufacturing for 13 years and 1 day.  He retired from Larson Manufacturing in 2007.

His nickname was “Pete” and most people didn’t know his real name.  He liked to garden and give his vegetables to those who didn’t have any.   Manley like to build wood storage sheds and do yard work.  He was an avid Green Bay Packers fan.

He married Leona Bjerke on March 20, 1964, at Blom Prairie Lutheran Church in Toronto.  They had two children born, Shelley and Connie.  

Manley is survived by his wife Leona Kirby of Brookings; two daughters, Shelley (significant other, Patrick Bollweg) Pederson of Sioux Falls  and Connie Babin, of Santa Monica, California; two grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his two sisters, Bonnie and Faye and two brothers, Bruce and Mark.

Condolences may be sent to the family through www.rudesfuneralhome.com.