BIRD, Ellen "Irene" Arends 1913-2012

BIRD, HOOK, ARENDS, ARMSTRONG, CESSNA

Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 9/2/2012 at 22:03:11

BIRD, Ellen "Irene" Arends 1913-2012
Bird, Hook, Arends, Armstrong, Cessna

[Waterloo Courier, Sunday, September 2, 2012]

E. Irene Arends Bird, 99, of Waterloo, Iowa died at Friendship Village in Waterloo on Aug. 30, 2012. The eldest of five children, Irene was born March 18, 1913, on a farm near Fern in Grundy County, Iowa to Peter J. and Grace Hook Arends. She attended Wellsburg High School.

She was married to Clyde E. Bird, who preceded her in death in 2003, for 36 years. Irene was the receptionist at Lohnes Photography in Waterloo for more than 20 years. Prior to that, she held many jobs, among them was working for the Federal government on Whidbey Island, Washington during World War II. She was a faithful member of First Presbyterian Church, Waterloo, for 72 years, where she served as a deacon and as an officer of several church organizations. She was also a longtime member of the church choir and in later years sang with the Friendship Village Voices.

Irene loved decorating her home, gardening and working with flower arrangements. She and Clyde took delight in traveling and Irene visited nearly all of the lower 48 states during her lifetime. Highlights of her travels included a helicopter ride over Niagara Falls, rafting on the Snake River in Montana, and attending sunrise Easter services in Soldier Field in Chicago. Irene’s family was her pride and joy. She kept extensive family records and created many family and travel photo albums.

Survivors include her stepson, Robert Bird (Sherry) of Bloomfield Hills, Mich.; two step-grandchildren, Bonnie Stephenson (Ned), of Oxford, Ohio, and Robert Bird, Jr. (Nancy) of Claremont, Calif.; five stepgreat-grandchildren, Jessica, Sam and Robert Stephenson, and Carolyn and Emily Bird; and 11 nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her siblings and their spouses: Violet Armstrong (Oscar), Ruth Cessna (Robert), Grant Arends (Lucille) and Merle Arends (Eleanor).

Funeral Services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 5 at First Presbyterian Church, 505 Franklin St. in Waterloo where the family will greet friends for an hour before the services. Burial will take place in Waterloo Memorial Park Cemetery. Friends who wish may direct memorials to First Presbyterian Church, 505 Franklin St. Waterloo, IA 50702, or Cedar Valley Hospice, P.O. Box 2880,

-----------------------------------------------------------
People Find shows her first name as Ellen

BIRD, ELLEN IRENE, Waterloo, Iowa. Possible Relatives: BIRD, CLYDE ELDON

Black Hawk Obituaries maintained by Karen De Groote.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen