Stanley E. Bird, 84, formerly of Oakfield, passed away on Saturday, October 4, 2014 , surrounded by his family.
He was born on February 19, 1930, in Fond du Lac County, the son of the late Bennett and Ethel (Kintzler) Bird, and on May 26, 1951, he was united in marriage to Kathleen Kolterman at the Oakfield United Methodist Church.
Stanley began his adult life operating a dairy farm and remained true to his roots throughout his life. After receiving his Journalism degree at the University of Wisconsin Madison he went on to become executive publisher of Holstein World overseeing a family of dairy magazines. He was a key long term member of the organizing committees for the World Dairy Expo and World Ag Expo. He moved several times during his life living in Madison, Mequon, New Brighton, Minnesota, and Mesa, Arizona. He traveled frequently and used this as an opportunity to stay connected to his numerous friends and extended family across North America. No matter where he lived, he remained faithful to the local United Methodist Church and to the Masonic Lodge in Fond du Lac. In later years he and Kathy summered in a cabin built on the Bird family farm near Oakfield, where he was born and raised. He was living there at the time of his final illness.
Stanley was a gregarious person who made friends where ever he went. He will be missed by all. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Kathleen; four children, William (Linda) Bird of Germantown, David (Janet) Bird of Edgerton, Thomas (Karen) Bird of Uxbridge, Massachusetts and Barbara (Bruce) Schmidt of Buffalo, Minnesota; eight grandchildren; two great-granddaughters; a brother, Robert Bird of Fond du Lac; two sisters, Jeanne (Arthur) Culver of La Palma, California and Ruth (Stephen) Scholly of Glenview, Illinois.
A Memorial Service for Stanley was held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, October 10, 2014, at Trinity United Methodist Church in Lomira with Rev. Kerry Wilson officiating. There was a visitation period from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial was in Avoca Cemetery in the town of Oakfield.
Memorials will be donated to one of Stan's favorite charities.