Funeral Service for Curtis E. Bird, 71, of Peever, SD will be held on Thursday, May 12, 2011 at 2:00 P.M. at the Tribal Community Center, Agency Village, SD with the Rev. Richard Felch and Milton Owen officiating. Special music will be provided by Billy Kohl, Phillip Eneboe and Kay Burshiem. Pallbearers will be James Bird Sr., Jason Bird, Cody Bird, Anthony Flute, James "Joey" Bird Jr. and Michael LaFontaine Jr. Honorary Pallbearers will be Smokey German, Wayne German, Duane Gronau, Darrell Renville, Rev. Eugene King, Junior Heminger, Alvah Quinn, Russell Hawkins, Romeo Renville, Rex Owen and Mike Owen. Interment will be St. Mary's Episcopal Cemetery, Agency Village, SD. There will be a Wake Service on Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 7:00 PM at the Dakota Alliance Church, with an all night wake on Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at 7:00 PM at the Tribal Community Center, Agency Village, SD. The Cahill Funeral Chapel, Sisseton, SD is in charge of arrangements.
Curtis was born on January 1, 1940 in Sisseton, SD to Samuel and Laura (Renville) Bird. He grew up and attended school in Peever, SD. Curtis worked for Lawrence Lundstrom in the Peever Area. Then he started working for Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate as a Heavy Equipment Operator. Curtis was united in marriage to Beverly Owen for forty five years. He retired in 2004. Curtis liked woodworking and taking care of his yard, and spending time with his grandchildren. Curtis passed away suddenly at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD on May 9, 2011.
Curtis is survived by his wife, Beverly of Peever, SD; four children, James (Kateri) Bird of Sisseton, SD, Julie Bird and Mike LaFontaine of Sisseton, SD, Jason (Patricia) Bird of Alachua, FL, and Janine Bird of Sisseton, SD; one adopted daughter, Diane (Scott) Shaver of Hilo, HI; three sisters, Lillian Lawrence of Agency Village, SD, Sylvia Owen of Peever, SD and Karen Heminger of Peever, SD; and sixteen grandchildren.
Curtis was preceded in death by his parents, two sons, Curtis Bird Jr. and Leslie Bird; three brothers, Kenneth Bird Sr., Milton Bird, and Lincoln "Buddy" Bird Sr., and two sisters, Beverly Bird and Thelma Lawrence.
For Curtis' obituary and on-line registry please visit www.cahillfuneralchapel.com