Aunty Shirley was such a positive influence my life. We shared a love of travel, genealogy and all things from Norway. She was so talented in making quilts, and I always wished that I had lived closer so she could teach me how to knit. She was such a nice lady, had a great sense of humor and lived life to the fullest. I will miss her.
Shirley Bird
November 19, 1934 – September 1, 2026
Services
Schedule Details
A Memorial Service will be held at 6:30 PM on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at Living Waters Lutheran Church, Sauk Rapids, MN. Visitation will be from 5:30-6:30 PM on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at the church. Private interment will be at a later date.
Shirley Mae Bird, age 91, of Sartell passed away on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at the St Cloud Hospital.
A Memorial Service will be held at 6:30 PM on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at Living Waters Lutheran Church, Sauk Rapids, MN. Visitation will be from 5:30-6:30 PM on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at the church. Private interment will be at a later date.
Shirley was born on November 19, 1934, in Harvey, ND to John and Barbara (Svee) Grund. She attended the Harvey ND elementary school, graduated from the Harvey High School, and went on to attend the Minot State College and earned a teaching certificate. She began dating Howard Bird in the Fall of 1953 at Minot State College. Shirley and Howard were married on June 19, 1955, at First Lutheran Church in Harvey, ND. She worked as a teacher for several years before stepping back to raise their 3 children. Shirley and Howard lived in Lignite, Kenmare, Minot & Grand Forks, North Dakota; Omaha, Nebraska; and later Manhattan, Kansas. In St. Cloud Shirley worked as a librarian’s assistant in the Apollo High School Learning Resource Center. She enjoyed playing cards, especially bridge, sewing, and quilting. She was active in a quilting group making many beautiful quilts, including one specially made for each of her grandchildren. Shirley and Howard loved traveling together, visiting every state in the United States including Alaska and Hawaii, almost every country in Europe, including Turkey, Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific, South America, and the Caribbean. In particular Shirley enjoyed trips to Norway where she stayed with relatives and explored her heritage.
Shirley is survived by her loving husband of over 71 years, Howard of Sartell; children, Cynthia “Cindy” (Randy) Nouis of Little Falls and Thomas “Tom” (Lori) Bird of Isle; grandchildren, Kyle (Shawna) Bird of St. Cloud, Tyler (Morgan) Bird of Andover, Grady (Kelly) Nouis of St. Augusta, and Victoria (James) Burkart of Upsala; and great-grandchildren, Gareth, Evelyn, and Isabella Nouis, Claire and Andrew Bird; and Sadie Bird; several cousins; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Lee Alan Bird; and brother, Donald Grund.
Memorials are preferred to the charity of the donor’s choice.