Anna Marie Bird, age 95, passed away on Tuesday, September 6, 2022, at Cottonwood Care Home in Miles City.
Anna Marie Doran was born June 3, 1927 in Miles City, MT to John and Frances Mrogenski Doran. She was welcomed home by sister Evelyn. A few years later siblings Ruth, Jack and Dorothy completed the family. Ann attended grade school at Crow Rock and was a typical country kid at the time, helping care for sheep and cattle and exploring the sand rocks around their home. She moved to Miles City to attend Sacred Heart High School where she boarded with her grandparents John and Anna Mrogenski. She graduated as valedictorian of the Sacred Heart class of 1945. After high school she was employed at First National Bank of Miles City as a teller, where she met Harold Bird, a handsome young man from the southern end of Custer County.
Harold and Ann were married November 3, 1949 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Ann then moved to Volborg where she and Harold began their married life, raising eight children, growing small grains, alfalfa seed and Hereford cattle. They worked hard, Harold in the fields and Ann in the garden. She always had an amazing garden, sweet luscious strawberries, tomatoes by the bushel basket, string beans galore and come winter a pantry full of canned vegetables and fruit. She was the best cook; during grain harvest she would bring the noon meal to the field, typically consisting of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, string beans and ice cream topped with her own garden strawberries.
Ann enjoyed family trips to Miles City and holiday celebrations with her Mom, Jack and Clare, Ruth and Ray, their children and Dorothy. She also enjoyed the Bird families that visited at the ranch in the summer. She traveled to Hawaii and Ireland. Ann was a member, officer and hostess of the Coalwood Ladies Aid for 73 years. She participated in both the Powder River and Custer County fairs annually entering garden produce, beautiful flowers and handwork. She enjoyed bowling weekly in Broadus with her good friend, Camille McIntyre. She was also a member of the Powder River Posies garden club. In retirement she enjoyed volunteering at the museum in Broadus and working at the St. Vincent’s thrift store. Ann faithfully supported St. David’s Parish in Broadus and Sacred Heart Church in Miles City.
All of Harold and Ann’s children graduated from college, Lynette from the U of M in Missoula and the boys from MSU in Bozeman. Then the family started to grow; from 1972 until 1993 she acquired one son-in-law and six daughters-in-law, along with fifteen grandchildren who loved to call her “Grandma”. She continued to cook and care for a family that went from large to huge. She was quiet and kind, soft spoken and undemanding. In 2017 after hip replacement surgery she moved to Miles City.
She is survived by Lynette Kerbel of Billings, MT, Gary Bird of Bismarck, ND, Ken (Terri) Bird of Volborg, MT, Cliff (Kelly) Bird of Center, ND, Ed (Rae Ellen) Bird of Miles City, MT, Jim (Linda) Bird of Volborg, MT, Rob (Kathy) Bird of Bismarck, ND, Dorothy Doran of Miles City, MT, 15 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by husband Harold Bird (1990), son Steve Bird (2003), son-in-law Keith Kerbel (2018), her parents and siblings Evelyn Rautio, Ruth Roos, Jack Doran as well as Harold’s brothers and sisters-in-law.
Family will receive friends on Monday, September 12, 2022 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, September 13, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment will follow in the Calvary Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Memorials may be made to the Coalwood Ladies Aid, St. David’s Parish, or charity of your choice.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Monday September 12, 2022
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
10:00 a.m.
Tuesday September 13, 2022
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Monday September 12, 2022
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
10:00 a.m.
Tuesday September 13, 2022
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
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Bub and Carlene Gaskill says
Condolences to the Bird family.
Tom and Judy Collins says
We are very sorry to hear about Ann. She was a grand lady. Thinking of all of you.
Betty Ganser says
Sorry to here about Ann. What a wonderful lady. Our prayers be with you. Vern and Betty
The Stoddard Family says
Sympathy to the Bird family, She was a wonderful lady.
Sarah Wagner says
Sorry to hear of Ann’s passing.
Linda Janssen Saylor says
She was my second mom. I remember staying at Bird’s when I had the mumps and I got to stay in Lynette’s room. Stepped on my first nail there, played cowboy & Indians and all kinds of games. My mom knew to call Ann if I was not around the house. Anna taught me to make toast with sugar and cinnamon. Many many memories for me. My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time.
Vanna Lancaster Byrd says
So very sorry to hear of Ann’s passing. Take comfort in your many wonderful memories.
Pam Moths Nisley and Dave Nisley says
Such a lovely woman with a beautiful family! Our prayers for comfort for each of you!
Cindy and Dave Burris says
Bird families, Treasure the memories of a very special person. She was so proud of all of her children and grandchildren and was a great role model for all the neighborhood.
Darcy Anderson Wood says
Thoughts and prayers to all of the family. So sorry for your loss.
Heather says
So sorry for you loss. Thoughts and prayers to the Bird family.
Heather (Doran) Wadsworth
Hazel Stabler says
Dorothy and family, I am so sorry for your loss.
Sandy Rabe says
My thoughts and prayers are with you all as you mourn the loss of a beautiful lady inside and out. I pray you find comfort and strength in the wonderful memories. God Bless.
Jenille Brugger says
What a wonderful kind, soft spoken lady! I am so thankful to have known her!
Mike & Judy Toennis Family says
Our thoughts and prayers are with your families.
Gerald & Janet Himelspach says
Our sympathy to all of Ann’s family. She was a special person.
Sharyn Wallace says
I always thought your mom and grama was so so pretty. She was quiet but always had a smile. The Birds raised the most beautiful children that were very polite and gracious. I didn’t know her well but my thoughts are with you all.
Susan & Dennis Bakken says
Deepest sympathies to Dorothy and her family.
Carol Mellor Hanrahan says
My sympathy to Ann’s family. Ann was a very nice lady, always so friendly. Lynette was a classmate of mine. Ann & Harold raised a fine family, prayers for them all.
Carol Mellor Hanrahan
Donna n Kenny Dague says
Condolences to all of the Bird family. To you Lynette, my classmate, thinking of you during this time. Blessings to you n yours always.
Donna n Kenny Dague says
Condolences to all of the Bird family. To my classmate Lynette, thinking of you during this time. Blessings to you n yours always.
Laura Lee Ullrich says
We are saddened to hear of Ann’s passing. She was a wonderful hard working woman who was dedicated to the Lord, her fine family and her whole community. Many of us will remember her fondly. Her legacy is her exceptional family, who will continue to lead the life she taught them.
Duane Maier says
My sincere condolences to all of Ann’s family.
Kathryn Pagans says
So sorry to hear that y’all’s mom is gone. So quickly after my moms death. Even though they were both old and sick it’s such a great loss! My prayers are with you all and all of your families. Lots of wonderful memories! At least we have those! For some reason I always remember her taking mashed potatoes out of the oven for thanksgiving! Always good food and fun times! It was nice seeing all of you at mom’s funeral. Love you all!
Kathryn
Cynde and Randy Trucano says
Sending prayers to the Bird Family. I bowled with Ann what a wonderful kind lady.
Chris and Diana Elwood says
Dear family, What a grand lady Ann was, so sorry for your loss.
Bonnie Powell says
I bowled with Ann, my Mom and Audrey Flannigan for a couple of years and so much enjoyed all of them and their giggles and sense of humor.. We had many great times. My mother wanted to stop there sometime on our trips to Miles, so one day we did. She toured us around her house and shared some of her wonderful tomatoes with us… Such a lovely lady… What a great family they raised…
Doug and Lucy Benge says
All Bird cousins and families:
So sorry to learn of Ann’s passing. (never new she had an “a” on the end of her name). I always thought of her as a very caring person whose legacy is surely having raised such a mindful, astute, smart, successful family. She will be missed. Best wishes to all.
Donald Kolka says
Our condolences. Donald and Mary Rose Kolka
June Minow says
So sorry for your loss. Ann was one of the nicest people I’ve ever known. Prayers for all the family as she will be missed by many.
Mary Smith Roig and Ellen Smith says
My mom Ellen Smith and I wanted to say how sorry we are for your loss of Ann. I have fond memories of all the family. Ann was such a sweet lady . She was a Great mom and wife and Grandma and a friend to all. Love and prayers for the family and community.
Jenny Hickox says
Oh my sweet Anna. You were the sweetest, I loved you so. My heart goes out to all the family and friends. May you find comfort in the days to come. Hugs to you all. I miss you too Dorothy!! Take care of yourself.
With much love,
Jenny Hickox