Audene Veryl Bird

The world has lost a truly special soul with the passing of Audene Veryl (Schelbitzki) Bird on January 7, 2025. At the age of 80, Audene left behind a legacy of love, laughter, and unwavering devotion to her family and friends.

Born on January 21, 1944, in Van Nuys, California, Audene's life journey began on the Schelbitzki family farm in Strang, Nebraska, where she grew up alongside her parents and five siblings.

From her early days on the farm, Audene cultivated a strong sense of family and connection that would define her throughout her life. Following her high school graduation, she embarked on a new chapter in Lincoln, Nebraska, where she honed her skills at beauty school, becoming a talented beautician. It was in Lincoln that she also began her journey into marriage with her first husband. In 1972, the family relocated to Fort Collins, Colorado, where Audene embraced her role as a homemaker and in-home beautician, all while lovingly raising her three children: Brad, Kristy, and Dan.

As her children matured and began their own lives, fate intervened, bringing Audene to the love of her life, Leland Bird. Their shared passion for square dancing sparked a connection that blossomed into a beautiful marriage. Together, they built a successful Orthotics and Prosthetics business and a warm, inviting home in Casper, Wyoming, dreams taking shape in their hands. In 2008, as retirement approached, Audene and Leland chose to move to Loveland, Colorado, to be closer to their cherished grandchildren, a testament to the central place family held in her heart.

Audene was more than just a wife, mother, grandmother, and business partner; she was a beacon of love. Her radiant smile had the power to light up any room she entered and her genuine warmth made everyone feel welcomed and valued. She found joy in the simple things in life, enjoying square dancing, snowmobiling, bowling, bird watching, baking, and avidly cheering on both the Denver Broncos and the Kansas City Chiefs, a testament to her fun, spirited nature. She also loved leisurely drives, savoring the beauty of the world around her. Audene's greatest happiness was found in the company of her family, a true reflection of the love she so freely gave.

Audene was welcomed into the Lord’s embrace, preceded in death by her parents, Ione and Lloyd Schelbitzki, her brothers, Layne and Jay Schelbitzki, her brother-in-law, Roger H. Dodson, and her beloved husband, Leland Bird.

She leaves behind a legacy of love that will continue to resonate through her surviving family: her son, Bradley Webb, and his wife Kalina Middleton, along with his daughters, Emily and Lindsay Webb; her daughter, Kristine (Webb) Oberhammer and her husband, Peter Oberhammer, along with their children, Macie, Alec, and Julia Oberhammer; and her son, Dan Webb. In addition to her children, she is survived by her step-children, Heather (Bird) Roarty, and her husband Jeremy Roarty, and their son, Kyle Bird; and Hannah (Bird) Brooks, and her husband, Ethan Brooks, as well as her sisters, JeNeane (Schelbitzki) Dodson and Penni (Schelbitzki) Bruning, her brother-in-law, Fred Bruning, and her sister-in-law, Vicki Schelbitzki. Her many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins also cherish their memories of her.

A celebration of Audene’s life will be held on Thursday, January 16, 2025, at 10:00 AM at Allnutt Funeral Service, Hunter Chapel, located at 2100 North Lincoln Ave, Loveland, Colorado 80538. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to Meals on Wheels of Loveland, an organization that was close to Audene’s heart. Donations can be made at https://www.lovelandmealsonwheels.org/ . The service will be livestreamed and that can be accessed at the following link: https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/c25012473828009

Audene's life was a beautiful story of love, devotion, and simple joys. Her memory will continue to inspire all who were fortunate enough to know her, and her radiant spirit will live on through the many lives she touched with her warm and loving heart.