Obituary of Anna Matilda Bird

BIRD – Anna Matilda passed away on February 10, 2018 at the Kyle Health Care Centre after a short battle with cancer. “Granny”, as she was fondly called by her family, was born the oldest of 3 children to Louis and Elizabeth Gaensley on June 26, 1925 on the Gaensley family farm. She took her schooling at Leyton until 1937 when she lost her mother to cancer. Louis, unable to care for the children, sent them to Germany to be with their maternal grandmother, where they continued their schooling until the beginning of the war. For safety reasons, they returned to Canada and the farm where Granny helped run the household, along with various housekeepers. During that time she met a local boy and future husband, Ken. They married in 1944 and that same year, saw the arrival of their only child, Dianne. Unfortunately Ken was called into the service and wouldn’t return for 2 years. During his absence, Granny helped out at home and also worked for her uncle, Dan Gundacker, until Ken returned in 1945. They took over farming on Emil Gaensley’s farm where they lived their entire married life. She moved to Kyle in 2003 when she lost Ken to cancer. Granny belonged to North Landing Women’s Group, Canadian Legion and Hospital Auxiliary. They enjoyed socializing with the “south bunch” and went on many trips with various friends. She was an exceptional cook and seamstress. She did crocheting and knitting. She also excelled in gardening. Family members enjoyed garden goodies well into the winter months. She loved the outdoors – swimming, golfing, and skiing were her favorites. She went for her last swim at the age of 89, last golf game and skidoo ride at age 90. She enjoyed watching her grandchildren, Dana and Deanna, marry and have families of their own. She was also able to watch the great grandchildren grow from babies into school, sports and art. So proud of them all! Due to failing eyesight and aging mobility, she moved from her house in Kyle to Southview apartments in 2016. She was diagnosed with cancer in the fall of 2017 and admitted to the Kyle Care Centre in January of 2018. She was predeceased by her parents, Louis and Elizabeth, husband Ken, brothers-in-law Ted Klassen, Jerry, Frank, Cliff and Roy Bird and Hilde Swanson and 2 sisters-in-law Signe and Vivien Bird. She is survived by her daughter Dianne (Don), grandchildren Dan (Kari) and Deanna (Baden) and 4 great grandchildren – Connor, Dawson, Jessica and Samantha, brother Albert, sister Elma, 2 sisters-in-law Joyce Swanson and Peggy Bird and numerous nieces and nephews. As per Anna’s request donations can be made to the Kyle Health Care Centre or the Kyle Lutheran Church. She loved all animals and requested a personal donation to the S.P.C.A. A funeral service was held on Wednesday, February 14, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at the Kyle Lutheran Church. The interment took place at Clearwater Cemetery. For further information or to sign the family book of condolence, visit www.parksidefuneralhome.com. Arrangements in care of Parkside Memorial Funeral Home – Ryan Cappelle