Shirley Bird

Shirley Bird, 83, a resident of Davenport, Iowa, passed away on Friday, April 22, 2011 at the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House, after an extended illness. A private service celebrating her life will be held for family members. Burial will be in Oakdale Memorial Gardens. Memorials may be made to Ilasco Area Historical Society, 60 Pioneer Trail, Hannibal, MO 63401 or the Humane Society of Scott County. Online condolences may be made at www.rungemortuary.com.

Shirley Mikula was born on April 13, 1928 in Hannibal, Missouri to Steve and Eunice (Tranum) Mikula. Her father, an immigrant from Czechoslovakia, came to Ilasco for a job to produce cement for notable constructions such as the Panama Canal and the Empire State Building. She grew up with her parents there and spent much of her later life helping to preserve the memory and history of the many immigrants who established the Ilasco community. She married Anthony Bird in Hannibal Missouri in 1947. She worked at Bendix for 37 years as an inspector, retiring in July 1990.

Shirley focused her life on raising her children and delighted in her grandchildren. She loved to shop, care for her dog, Clifford, collected dolls, enjoyed the holidays, especially Christmas, and traveled many times to Las Vegas and California, her favorite destinations. Shirley loved to share her opinions of many issues and was quite remarkable in her ability to accomplish her life goals.

She is survived by her children: sons Terry Bird of Bettendorf, Gary (Mary) Bird of Pleasanton, California, and daughter, Brenda Bird of Davenport; six grandchildren, David, Andrea, Steven, Michael, Timothy, and Nathan; and a sister Rosemary Fager and daughter Carol of San Francisco, California. Shirley had special people in her life: Connie Williams, Clara Buri, and Larry Newlon. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Shirley’s family wishes to thank the wonderful staff of the Clarissa Cook Hospice House for their compassionate care of Shirley during her last days and to Dr. Alsheikha for his incredible understanding and relationship he had with Shirley.