Ruth Esther (Steffen) BIRD BROCK

BROCK, STEFFEN, MILLARD, BIRD, KRAFT, KENNICKER, MCDERMOTT

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/3/2010 at 16:16:09

February 3, 2010
Fort Dodge Messenger, Iowa

Ruth Esther Brock was born on August 26, 1921, at Britt, Iowa, to Rufus and Ruth (Millard) Steffen. She received her education at the Britt School. After her schooling, Esther worked for her neighbors. She was married to Leonard Bird on April 10, 1940. The couple lived at Hardy, Iowa, where she raised her family. On July 3, 1966, Esther was married to Gordon Brock near Renwick Iowa. The couple farmed there until retirement. They then moved to Humboldt, Iowa. Esther was an active member of the Renwick United Methodist church. She also belonged to the American Legion Auxiliary, the Red Hat Ladies in Hardy and the Hi Neighbor Club in Hardy. Esther enjoyed crocheting and raising flowers, but her greatest joy in life was her grandchildren.

Esther died on Sunday, January 31, 2010, at the Trinity Regional Medical Center in Fort Dodge, Iowa. She was 88. Surviving are her husband, Gordon Brock, Humboldt, Iowa and her two daughters, Fran Kraft and husband, Bill, Renwick, Iowa and Toodie Kennicker, Bella Vista, Arkansas. Also surviving are 7 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her son Leonard Duane Bird, her infant son, Raymond Keith Bird, her grandson, Aaron McDermott, her infant granddaughter, Melissa McDermott, 3 brothers and 3 sisters. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the United Methodist church in Renwick. Burial will be in Vernon Township Cemetery, rural Hardy. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. today at Garry Roberts Murphy Schaaf Funeral Home, Renwick.