"Vicki loved my little handprint in her driveway. She was a great lady. Always busy, always helping someone. And she and Rick had the good taste to love the house my father built. "
In loving memory of
Vicki Bird
March 16, 1948 - May 9, 2023
Vicki Bird, 75 of Glenwood, IA, passed away May 9, 2023 at UNMC in Omaha. Celebration of Life service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 13, 2023 at the Glenwood High School Auditorium with Pastor Darrell Hopp officiating. A luncheon will follow the service. Loess Hills Funeral Home in Glenwood is caring for Vicki and her family.
Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family will direct memorials for the establishment of a foundation scholarship to encourage volunteerism for generations to come.
OBITUARY
Vicki Bird, a beloved member of the Glenwood community, passed away on May 9, 2023, at the age of 75. Vicki was born on March 16, 1948, to Helen Rohde and Kenneth Henry. She graduated from Glenwood High School in the Class of '66 and went on to lead a life of service and selflessness.
After graduation, Vicki married Richard Alan Bird and had two children, Mark and DeShawne. She devoted her life to making others happy and had a light that shone from within that could not be dimmed. She had an amazing sense of style and loved to wear beautiful jewelry, which only made her light shine brighter.
Vicki was a dedicated volunteer and spent all of her extra money on those less fortunate. She made sure that everyone felt loved and appreciated, and it was impossible to dislike her. She worked at the Glenwood Resource Center and was a member of the Asset Group. She played Bridge with some wonderful women from Glenwood and remained an active member of the Vine Street Church (First Christian).
Vicki started the Love Tree in her basement, which began by serving a few families and quickly grew to serve more than 500 children each year. Her love and generosity knew no bounds, and she spent the majority of her time following her children and grandchildren to every single event. She arrived early and sat in the front row, arriving hours early to get the best seat for her family.
Vicki loved to travel. She took lots of group trips - waking the rest with her early morning coffee routines. She spent hours on the road traveling with Richard. They often spent weeks traversing the country and weekends hitting the lake with the kids. Her free spirit required anyone in her friend group to enjoy traveling and shopping in every shop she passed - including every gift shop and Casey's.
She hosted family dinner each Wednesday night and has had anywhere from 2 to 22. She cooked full meals including salads and desserts each week. Extended family and friends would stop and she always had enough for all. No one was turned away.
Vicki is survived by her loving husband of almost 55 years, her daughter DeShawne and husband Ryan Sell and their children, Madeleine (Brandon) Wilson, Parker Sell, Hayllee Sell, and Brock Sell. She is also survived by her son Mark and wife Jeana Bird and their children, Chelsee (Eric) Lee, Lucas (Megan) Bird, Keaton (Megan) Parks, Mason Parks, Lexi Bird, and Dylan Bird. Vicki had three great-grandchildren, Frederick Lee, Roland Richard Bird, and Callaghan Lee. She also enjoyed her large family including her half-siblings and step-siblings.
Vicki Bird was a shining example of kindness, love, and generosity, and her passing will be deeply felt by all who knew her. Her legacy of selflessness and devotion to her community will continue to inspire others for generations to come.
Tributes
"I have known three people in my life that seem implanted by God with a wholly good, generous, and kind soul. She was one. Well done, Vicki. May the rest of us show each other more of those qualities in your memory."
"Vicki was a loving and selfless person. She would do anything she could to help others. I?m honored to have known her and her family. She was truly a. great friend. My heart goes out to Rick and the entire family."
"Word's are not Enough, to Describe, Vicki Bird, Vic always had a Smile for Everyone, She Never Complained, or Found Fault. Once when our Children came to Glenwood, for Grandma Hiley's Funeral. Vic walked up to them and Said, I'm a Good Friend of Your Moms, Give Her My Love. They never Forgot Vicki, as none of us will. Angels are only with us for a while, Vicki, would Laugh and Grin, and what a Sharp Mind, She Loved Challenges. To Richard, DeShawn, and Family, Mark, and Family. We were very, Honored and Privileged no matter how long, to have this Unique Lady and Her Family in Our Lives. I Know one of the Bright Stars in Heaven, is Victoria Bird. "
"Well done good and faithful servant. Beautiful smiling generous selfless amazing soul. "
"There are not enough words to describe the beauty of this lady inside & out. For those of us who were fortunate to volunteer with her were so blessed to witness the passion she had for whatever cause she was involved in. Thank you Vicki for being a shining example how people should be. You will be greatly missed!! ??"
"Losing your best friend is a tragedy...but a bigger tragedy would have been not having met her! I met Vicki in high school and have truly never met anyone as compassionate, kind, funny as she was. Always positive, always thinking of others, always in style, always smiling! She was a great golf partner and loved organizing get togethers! Heaven surely had a very special place for her when she arrived. Her strong faith in God gives me comfort knowing she is at peace and resting in His loving arms! Thanks for all the memories, Vicki....I love you!"
"So sorry to read of Vicki's passing. A beautiful lady inside and out. She has helped so many kiddos over the years, making Christmas so special and happy for them. Thoughts and prayers to her family at this sad time."
"There are no words to describe how we feel losing our cousin and Angel on Earth. May you continue to dance and laugh in Heaven. You will be so missed. You are loved more than you ever know. 2 Timothy 4:6-8 ? ??I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me.????"
"Our Hearts and Prayers are with Vicki's entire Family. Vicki was a very Precious Caring and Giving Person. There wasn't a person She wouldn't help. God Bless Lovely Vicki as She is now walking with the Good Lord in the Garden of HEAVEN. Dan Sandy Benscoter Detroit Lakes Minnesota "
"Our Hearts and Prayers are always with Vicki's Dear Family. Vicki was such a Caring and Giving Lady and She was Precious to Everyone. God Bless Wonderful Vicki as She is now walking with The Good Lord in the Garden of Heaven. Dan Sandy Benscoter Detroit Lakes Minnesota "
"The air has gone out of the room! Dear Vicki will be missed by all who was lucky enough to have had her in their life. A favorite memory is from last winter, I got a phone call from Vicki and was pleased to hear " Hello there". I asked if there was something she needed as it was Love Tree time. She said "No, just calling to see how you're doing, how's your sister, how's Lyle getting along, is Gramma still in the hospital?" All this while she's going through cancer treatments. Who does this?!?! She had so much love in her heart for everyone, and I am so blessed to have called her Friend. We should all be so unselfish. Thank You Vicki. Pam Mayberry"