Patricia L. (Cochran) Bird

Patricia L. Bird of Esbon, Kansas, was born May 27, 1938, to John and Letha (Parker) Cochran, at Esbon, Kansas, and grew up on the family farm, and died Friday, October 14, 2016, at the Salina Regional Health Center, Salina, Kansas, at the age of 78 years, 4 months, and 17 days.

She attended country schools in rural Jewell County and graduated from Esbon High School in 1956. On May 27, 1956, Patricia married Delbert Bird at the Ash Creek Church, Esbon, Kansas. They were blessed with two children – Rex and Ramona.

Patricia was a housewife and mother many years. Patricia continued her education when her children were older. She graduated from Cloud County Community College and Hastings College with an Elementary Education degree. She taught in Harlingen, Texas; Fowler, Kansas; and Albion, Nebraska.

She loved her family and enjoyed having them for a visit and family dinners. She enjoyed time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her pastimes were crossword puzzles, genealogy, reading, and grandkids’ sporting events, 4-H activities and fairs. She was involved in her church and with church activities.

Pat was preceded in death by her parents and one sister – Lorraine Bissell.

She is survived by her husband, Delbert of the home; one son and one daughter – Rex and wife, Rhonda Bird of Belleville, Kansas; and Ramona and husband, Mark Tiemeyer of Morrowville, Kansas; six grandchildren – Ryan and wife Jacee Bird of Ashland, Nebraska, Regina Bird of Minden, Nebraska, Aaron and wife, Jamie Tiemeyer of Marysville, Kansas, Alec Tiemeyer of Washington, Kansas, and Andrew Tiemeyer of Morrowville, Kansas; three great-grandchildren – Blake and Alaina Bird and Henley Tiemeyer; two sisters – Camelia Gates of Republic, Kansas and Carole Smith of Hastings, Nebraska; and a host of other relatives, friends and students.

A celebration of life service will be (was) Monday, October 17, 2016, at 2:00 p.m., at the Northbranch Friends Church of Rural Burr Oak, Kansas, with Pastor Jonathan Harkness officiating. Interment will be (was) in the Prairie Home Cemetery, Esbon, Kansas. Visitation will be (was) Sunday, October 16, 2016 from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with the family receiving friends from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the mortuary. A memorial Fund has been established and will be designated at a later time. Online condolences can be left at www.melbymortuary.com. Melby Mortuary, 402 H. High Street, Mankato, Kansas 66956, was in charge of arrangements.