Brendon Paul Bird

Brendon P. Bird, 88, of Fort Dodge, passed away on Monday, January 27, 2014 at the Paula J. Baber Hospice Home. Funeral Services will be held on Friday, January 31st at 10:30 a.m. at Corpus Christi Church in Fort Dodge with Msgr. Kevin McCoy officiating at the Mass of Christian Burial. Burial will be in Corpus Christi Cemetery with military rites conducted by the V.F.W. Post 1856 and the U.S. Navy Honor Guard. Visitation will be on Thursday from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a Vigil at 7:00 p.m. all at Laufersweiler-Sievers Funeral Home. Survivors include his daughter, Kathleen (Don) Horton of Blue Springs, MO; sons, Greg (Michelle) Bird of West Des Moines, and Jim (Molly) Bird of Fort Dodge; eleven grandchildren: Tim Horton, Mark Horton, Matthew Horton, Jason Horton, Michael Bird, Megan Bird O'Conner, Jillian Bird, Katy Bird, Alex Bird, and Riley Bird. Eleven great grandchildren also survive: Ryann, Gracie and Elizabeth Horton; Ella, Kara, and Cali Horton; Leigh Horton, Rory Bird, Hannah and Brendon O'Conner. Brendon was born October 19, 1925 in Fort Dodge to John and Mary (McIntyre) Bird. Following his education, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving from 1943 to 1945 as a signalman on tanker ships in the Pacific during WWII. On February 28, 1947, he and Marion A. Johnson were the first couple to be married at Holy Rosary Church. The couple made Fort Dodge their lifelong home. For 41 years Brendon worked as a production worker for Georgia Pacific, until his retirement in 1987. Brendon will be lovingly remembered for his easy manner and caring nature, his lively sense of humor and dry wit, his wonderful stories and sage advice. He took great joy in sharing long visits over coffee with his many friends and relatives. In September 2013, Brendon and dear friend Keith Lindstrom were able to participate in the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marion in 1996; ten siblings, and an infant grandson. In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be left to the Paula J. Baber Hospice Home. Visitation Thu, Jan 30, 2014 at 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm Laufersweiler-Sievers Funeral Home 307 South 12th Street Fort Dodge, Iowa 50501 Vigil at 7:00 PM Thursday Service Fri, Jan 31, 2014 at 10:30 am Corpus Christi Church