Lois J. Bird
BIRD, MITCHELL, PUDERBAUGH
Posted By: Sarah Fletcher (email)
Date: 3/20/2017 at 12:06:33
Lois J. Bird, 63, passed away on March 14, 2017 at The Bird House, Hospice Home of Johnson County.
Funeral Services will be held at 1 PM, Tuesday, March 21st at Parkview Church with Rev. Steve Rachke officiating. Visitation will be Monday, March 20th from 4 to 8 PM at the Church. Burial will be at Oakland Cemetery. A time of fellowship for family and friends will follow the committal service at the Church.
Lois lived in the Iowa City area since 1982. She was born on March 5, 1954 to Ronald and Genevieve (Mitchell) Puderbaugh in Des Moines, Iowa. Lois had two brothers John and Steven. She graduated from Des Moines Technical High School. Lois received both a Bachelor of Science in Education Degree and a Master of Science in Education Degree from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.
Lois married Gary Bird at Westchester Evangelical Free Church in Des Moines on December 23, 1977. They moved to the Iowa City area when Gary became a State Trooper and was assigned to Johnson County.
Lois’ teaching career spanned 34 years starting in Ankeny, Iowa. After moving to Iowa City, Lois worked for the Grant Wood Area Education Agency for four years as a special education consultant. She was also one of the original six “Kids On the Block” puppeteers, which performed for third graders in Linn County about kids with disabilities. In 1986 Lois began teaching in the Iowa City School District at Lucas, Hoover, and Grant Wood Elementary schools. Lois loved watching students learn new things and be excited about learning.
Gary and Lois were blessed with two children Tyler and Katherine. During the years they were growing up Lois taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, was the AWANA Sparks game director for 10 years, co-chaired the City High Jazz Showcase for three years, and cheered from the sidelines of band events, and sporting events. Lois loved supporting Tyler and Katherine and being a soccer mom through Katherine’s college years.
Lois was a member of Parkview Evangelical Free Church where she participated in many activities and groups over the years. She led many women’s breakfasts, and co-chaired the Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child project for 13 years. Lois was a member of the University Club and various retired teacher groups. She was a board member of the Hospice Home of Johnson County.
Lois enjoyed spending time with her children and friends, gardening, sports, nature, and flower photography.
Lois is survived by her son, Tyler Bird of Williamsburg; her daughter, Katherine Bird of Bettendorf; brother, Steve Puderbaugh (Deb) of Candia, NH; uncle, Don (Mary) Mitchell of Lacona; sister-in-law, Sheryl Puderbaugh of East Peru, IA; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Lois was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, infant sister Karen, her brother John, and her husband Gary in 2010.
Based on our family’s experience when Gary died, Lois worked for five years with a group of dedicated individuals to establish “The Bird House,” Hospice Home of Johnson County as a resource to our community for people needing end-of-life care. Memorials may be made to “The Bird House”, P O Box 3338, Iowa City, IA 52244 or to www.hospicehomejc.org. Donations will go toward paying off the mortgage which was a goal that Lois had. Please consider ways that you might want to help or volunteer at The Bird House.
Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service
Johnson Obituaries maintained by Cindy Booth Maher.
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