Bird, Leo "Bill" 1924-2004

BIRD, BERENDES, SEUNTJENS

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, Volunteer (email)
Date: 4/14/2007 at 11:44:36

MARCUS, Iowa -- Leo William "Bill" Bird, 79, of Marcus died Saturday, Feb. 21, 2004, at Heartland Care Center in Marcus.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Holy Name Catholic Church in Marcus, with the Rev. Eugene Murray officiating. Burial will be in Holy Name Cemetery, with military rites conducted by American Legion F.I. Goodburn Post 517 of Marcus. Visitation begins after 2 p.m. today, with the family present 5 to 7 p.m. and a wake service at 7 p.m., at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Earnest-Rohde Funeral Home in Marcus.

Bill was born Sept. 16, 1924, in Marcus, the son of Leo and Clara (Berendes) Bird. He graduated from Marcus High School in 1942. After graduation, he served in the 4th Marine Division for two and a half years during World War II. Bill fought during the Battle of Iwo Jima. After his honorable discharge, he returned to the Marcus area. He enjoyed playing baseball and boxing, reaching the finals of the Golden Gloves Boxing Tournament in 1947.

He married Arlene Seuntjens on Jan. 8, 1951, at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Kingsley, Iowa. He was active in farming north of Marcus for 43 years with the exception of the time he spent in the Marines. He also worked at Steele State Bank in Cherokee, Iowa, from 1972 to 1974.

Survivors include his wife, Arlene Bird of Marcus; three daughters, Kathy Belby and her husband, Dr. Michael of Belvidere, N.J., Jane Handlos and her husband, Joe of Milford, Kan., and Mary Bird-Murphy and her husband, John of Oak Park, Ill.; five sons, Tom Bird and his wife, Catherine of Minneapolis, Jeff Bird and his wife, Elizabeth of St. Louis Park, Minn., Joe Bird and his wife, Arlene of Highlands Ranch, Colo., Dr. Michael Bird and his wife, Patty of Gilbert, Iowa, and Patrick Bird and his wife, Linda of Marcus; 23 grandchildren; a brother, Dick Bird and his wife, Jacque of Marcus; a sister, Audrey Matgen and her husband, Jinx of Remsen, Iowa; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a granddaughter, Leah Bird; two brothers, James Bird and Charles Bird; and a sister, Mary Jane Snyder.

Memorials may be directed to the Parkinson Foundation.

Source: Sioux City Journal
February 23, 2004