Miriam Gail (Mogle) Kirkegaard

Miriam Gail Mogle Kirkegaard, formerly of Winfield, passed away peacefully May 12, 2018, in The Woodlands, Texas.  Our beloved mother, grandmother, friend and teacher passed surrounded by family.

Miriam was born in Winfield on July 16, 1935, to Aletha and Floyd Mogle.  Her parents and brother Marc William preceded her in death.  Miriam considered herself fortunate to have grown-up in Winfield because of the wonderful mentors, teachers, and enduring childhood friendships.  She brought her children to Winfield as often as possible. Miriam graduated from Winfield H.S. in 1953.  She was gifted in the fine arts, especially piano, violin, and theater.  Her favorite high school activity was debate and she won many tournaments representing her high school.    

In 1952, she attended Kansas Girls State and represented Kansas at Girls Nation in Washington, D.C., where she met President Truman at the White House.  This was one of her most memorable life experiences. Miriam graduated from University of Iowa in 1957.  Her major was speech pathology/audiology.  She was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, Alpha Lambda Delta, and Mortar Board Honor Societies, and Kappa Alpha Theta Social Sorority.

On July 13, 1957, Miriam married Dr. Roger S. Kirkegaard.  They had three children: Lori, Jon, and James.  They were divorced in 1976. In 1963, Miriam moved to Topeka, Kansas.  She was an active member in the Alumnae Chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta, The Junior League of Topeka, the Mulvane Art Center, and The Performing Arts for Children.  She was also a member of the First Presbyterian Church.

Miriam worked as a reading and language arts teacher for Topeka USD 501.  In 1978, she graduated Summa Cum Laude with M.Ed. from Washburn University, Topeka.  She taught at Landon, Jardine Middle Schools and Topeka West H.S.  She loved teaching and encouraged her students to become lifelong learners.  She retired in 1997. In 2009, Miriam moved to Texas to be close to family.

Survivors include daughter Lori and Mark Williams, The Woodlands, Texas; granddaughter Kirsten and Peter Swanson, Dallas, Texas; granddaughter Lindsey and fiancé, Jonathan Lindsey, Houston, Texas; son Jon and Kim Kirkegaard and grandchildren Erik and Katherine, Dallas, Texas; son James and Laurie Kirkegaard and grandchildren Ethan and Alexandra, Atlanta, Georgia.

Graveside services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 30, 2018, at Highland Cemetery.  Memorial contributions can be made to the First United Methodist Church of Winfield. Arrangements in care of Shelley Family Funeral Home of Winfield.

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