Birthe Wagner Ashby was born July 14, 1935 in Aalborg, Denmark to Harry and Else Wagner. She lived in Denmark until the age of 18 when she immigrated to the United States. After working in Salt Lake City for a while, she met and married Dean Hal Ashby in the Salt Lake Temple. She grew up in Nazi occupied Denmark during WWII and experienced many sad things as a child. Around the age of 8 years old, she risked her life to help a Danish policeman escape from the Gestapo. These experiences shaped her life and contributed to her decision to become an American citizen in 1959. Birthe was a devoted wife and mother and is survived by five sons, Scott N. Ashby of Oklahoma City, Duane K. Ashby (Kathy) Santa Paula, CA, Mark R. Ashby of Yukon, Paul M. Ashby (Jana) of Kelseyville, CA, Sean I. Ashby of Edmond, 12 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Her husband, Dean Ashby, preceded her in death in 2010. Birthe was an avid crafter and won various awards from the State Fair for her needlework. New mothers at her church could always count on a handmade blanket or clothing as a small gift. She was always on the lookout for nice new clothing she could donate to foreign humanitarian aid projects. Throughout her life, she served as a den mother in cub scouting, as a librarian for her church as well as teaching whenever and wherever she was called upon. She spent her life caring for others and was an active volunteer both in the community and as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She gave up a college education so that she could be a stay at home mother, considering that to be more important. She also spent many years providing day care for children and, when her own children were grown, she began serving the community in many ways. In 1992, she received the "Golden Apple" Award from the Putnam City Schools for "service above and beyond the call of duty" as a volunteer at the Apollo Elementary School, where she managed the used clothing center. In 1994, she received the "Governor's Commendation" in recognition of her years of service as a volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House. In 1995, she worked as a Red Cross volunteer in the wake of the Federal Building bombing. Birthe continued to serve her family, her church and her community as long as her health allowed and, at the time of her death, she was still worried that she was not doing enough to care for those around her. Birthe will be greatly missed by her family and friends and we will long remember her resilience in hardship and her love for friends and family. Services will be held at 10:00am, Thursday, May 30, 2013 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 5020 N.W.63rd St., OKC. Viewing will be 30 minutes prior to the service. Interment will follow at 2:00pm at Ft. Sill National Cemetery, Elgin, Oklahoma. Funeral Service Thursday, May 30, 2013 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 5020 N.W. 63rd St. Oklahoma City, OK