REV. GARY BIRD

Gary is survived by his wife of 65 years, Madolyn, and his beloved Bella; children, Bryce Bird of Steelville, MO; Teri Bird of Great Falls, MT; David Bird of Bellevue, NE; Sue Fliss of Spencer; Jo (Shane) Keefer of Great Falls, MT; 12 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; sister, Carolyn Loring, of Lewis, IA; brother, Roger (Mary Ann) Bird of Weslaco, TX; sister, Linda Trede of Council Bluffs; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence Bird and Beulah Schnoor Rose; sister, Patti Mallory; brother-in-law, Louis Loring, and daughter-in-law, Joni Bird.

Gary Leroy Bird was born January 11, 1937, in Macedonia, Iowa. He is a graduate of Carson High School. Gary was united in marriage to Madolyn Core on August 19, 1955, and the couple made their home in the Carson area. Upon graduation from high school, Gary was employed with Super Value in Oakland for 10 years. The family moved to Lamoni in 1965, and Gary attended Graceland College to earn his undergraduate degree; taught high school history in Eagleville, MO, and attended Saint Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, and Garrett Theological Seminary in Chicago, all while continuing to serve the Lamoni Parish and raise their family.

Gary’s first ministerial station was the Lamoni Parish (1965-1976), which included the United Methodist churches in Pleasanton and Davis City, and after the Pleasanton church closed, the church in Decatur City was added to his charge. Gary was then asked to serve at the Everly UMC/Spencer Zion churches (1976-1982); the Adair and Casey UMC’s (1982-1985); Early UMC (1985-1988); Gowrie and Callender UMC’s (1988-1999); and Windsor Heights UMC in Des Moines (1999-2002). In 2002, Gary retired from full-time ministry, and he and Madolyn moved to the Friendship Haven community in Fort Dodge, where Gary continued to serve as an interim pastor when asked by the Congregational Church and by the First Baptist Church. He also served for a time as chaplain at Friendship Haven, and while serving the Gowrie/Callender UMC’s, served on the Friendship Haven Board of Directors.

Gary had a huge heart, giving nature, and a very quick wit. He will be missed so much by his family and friends, and the parishioners he served.

A celebration of life will be at a later date. Laufersweiler-Sievers Funeral Home is serving the family. Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.