Funeral Service for Valerie Hope Bird, 49, of Sisseton, SD will be held on Saturday, December 19, 2015 at the Dakota Alliance Church, Sisseton, SD at 1:00 P.M. with Rev. Richard Felch and Pastor Milton "Nippy" Owen officiating and Pianists Billy Kohl and Kay Bursheim. Special Music by the Episcopal Lay Readers. Pallbearers will be Anthony Flute, Christopher Bravebull, Buddy Bird Sr., Jake Bird, Edward Bird, Emerson Bird, Justin Brown, Elliott Bird Cloud and Jacob Haug. Honorary pallbearers will be Barbara Wolfe, Sunny Bravebull, Devola Bird, Melodie Lawrence, Marla Raffety, Shennoah "Babzer" Bird, Norelle Cloud, Caroline Bird, Frances Bird, and all of Valerie's Family and Friends. Interment will be in the St. Mary's Episcopal Cemetery, Agency Village, SD. Wake services will be Thursday, December 17, 2015 and Friday, December 18, 2015 starting at 7:00 P.M. at the Dakota Alliance Church, Sisseton, SD. Cahill Funeral Chapel, Sisseton, SD is in charge of arrangements.
Valerie Hope Bird was born on March 2, 1966 in Sisseton, SD to Lincoln Bird Sr. and Elena Owen Bird. Valerie grew up in Sisseton, SD. She graduated from Sisseton High School in 1985. Valerie then attended Presentation College in Aberdeen, SD. In Valerie's teen years she accepted the Lord into her heart and was baptized at Clear Lake. In 1987, her first son Deserick Jake Bird was born. Her daughter Justina Elena Bird was born in 1989, followed by her son Elliott Lincoln Jay bird Cloud in 1995.
Valerie loved to read, write poems, solve Sudoku puzzles and play games on her kindle. She also loved visiting her grand kids. Her grandchildren are Evany "Cubby" Bird, Amaria Bird, Jurese Bird, Georgia Belle Brown, Kottin Brown, Jonathon Brown, Jonathan Hernandez, Aliyah Hernandez, Giselle Hernandez and Giana Hernandez.
Valerie is survived by Mother Elena Bird of Sisseton, SD; Brothers Lincoln (Devola) Bird Jr., Buddy (Orvella) Bird Sr. both of Sisseton, SD; sisters Caroline Bird, Fran (Glen Wanna) Bird of Sisseton, SD; and Lindy Bird of Watertown, SD and longtime companion Dwight Cloud of Sisseton, SD.
Valerie was preceded in death by her father Lincoln Bird Sr., paternal grandparents Samuel and Laura (Renville) Bird, maternal grandparents Remus Owen and Caroline (Goodvoice) Owen, and Baby brother Joseph Bird.
Although battling health issues most of her life, Valerie always appeared stronger than she felt. Not only has the Lord blessed us with Valerie, he also blessed her with contentment and strength.
That is why for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. -2 Corinthians 12:10