Loreen Bird

Loreen Faye Bird, the first daughter of Cecil Russell and Irene (Bisbee) Figgins, was born April 10, 1934, on a farm southwest of Northbranch. She died Oct. 20, at the Heritage Care Center in Red Cloud.

She attended the Walnut country school her eight years of grade school and then went on to complete her formal education attending the Burr Oak High School. She graduated with the Class of 1952. She was united in marriage with Donald Eugene Bird on June 15, 1952, at her parents’ home. Following their marriage, she and Don moved to Plainville, Kan. Loreen was employed at the Plainville Rural Hospital as a lab and X-ray technician from 1954 to 1959. They then moved to Colby, for Don’s work. In 1960, they moved to their home place north of Esbon. In 1975, they started a business called Tuf Lube Sales, that sold lubrications and farm supplies. She then had a full-time job working alongside her husband managing a farm and their business. Don and Loreen enjoyed square dancing during the 1980s and 90s.

Both Loreen and Don liked the life at the lakes, so they decided to start being park attendants during the summer months. They spent eight years at Perry Lake, one year at Waconda and nine years at the Harlan County Lake until Don was no longer able to go because of his declining health. Loreen spent this time in her life taking care of Don until he died Feb. 2, 2018.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Donald; brothers, Franklin, Glenn and Carl Figgins; and a sister, Carolyn Barnes.

Surviving are daughters, Theresa Small and Mary Morrison; her son, John Bird; grandchildren; 11 great- grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren; sisters, Charlotte Pletcher, Pauline Mills, Twila Morris, Fern Reed, Marilyn Warneking and Joan Pate.

A graveside service at the Burr Oak Cemetery will be held at a later date.