Myrna aka: Myrna Bird K. Zumwalt

a.ka.: Myrna Bird

Myrna left us on May 28, 2016 to attend the Grand Masters Hunt Test in the Sky. She will be judging puppies, of course. She succumbed to a brief and vicious attack from a tumor in her brain.

Myrna was born in Reed City, Michigan on February 16, 1941 to Myron and Juanita Partridge. Her father was a naval officer and was deployed to the South Pacific for a long time. Upon his return to the United States, they moved to Miles City, Montana, where Myron was an English teacher at the local high school. Soon after, Myron secured a job as a teacher and coach at a high school in Las Vegas, Nevada. At the ripe old age of four, Myrna became a genuine Nevadan. She was more avid in her love for the state of Nevada and all of its wonders, than most native born Nevadans, like the man she married on August 7, 1965, Tilton Zumwalt. She never missed a Nevada Day celebration with her cronies.

She graduated from Rancho High School as a member of its first graduating class in 1959. She married young and had a son in 1960, Rick Allan Vaughn. Unfortunately, the marriage dissolved in divorce. Tilton came along and recognized the real nature and values of this wondrous woman. And like they say, “the rest is history”.

Daughter, Leslie Jane, was born in 1967 in Las Vegas. The family then moved to Alamo, NV, and in 1968, moved to Ely, NV. Back to Las Vegas in 1971. The final move was to Carson City in 1973. The family has lived and loved in the same house ever since.

In 1973, a second son was born, Christopher Myron, named after Tilton and Myrna’s fathers. Myrna was never one to be satisfied as a homemaker. She quickly found a job as a bookkeeper, and even took classes at the local community college. She worked for a local medical group and became active in everything that touched her. She made friends wherever she went and gave of herself graciously and completely. Her unique sense of humor pervaded her entire aura when you were with her.

Her husband, Tilton, who was a hunter, fisherman, rock hound and mountain climber, soon got Myrna hooked on Nevada’s outdoor charms. The whole family spent many happy outings in tents, travel trailers and boats. Myrna discovered retrieving dogs and their training abilities when Tilton bought a Labrador puppy at a NDOW auction in 1988, and her entire life changed. Myrna fell in love with Labs and all dogs. She became the heart and soul of the Sierra Nevada Retriever Club, serving as Blind Planter, Secretary, Treasurer, President, and Tick Picker.

Myrna also loved the Humboldt Hunt Club in Kings River Valley in Northern Humboldt county. She and Tilton owned two mobile homes there, and hunted four dogs, who parted their hearts with great memories. So many wonderful friends were made!

Myrna was preceded in death by her parents, a beloved cousin, and her brother Jay. Survived by her husband, Tilton; her children, Rick, Leslie and Christopher; and her sister, Ellen. Also, four grandchildren, two great grandchildren, two nieces and their families, and two big yellow labs, Bodie and Rocky.

The family wishes to thank The United Methodist Church of Carson City, Amy’s Eden Retirement Home, and Gentiva Hospice for the compassionate care given to Myrna’s final days. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your charity of choice.

A memorial service for Myrna will be held on Friday, June 10, 2016, 11:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Carson City, Nevada.

Arrangements under the direction of FitzHenry’s Funeral Home, Carson City, NV.