Wilma Jean (Maher) Bird-Swanson was born on Oct. 4, 1929, in Muscatine, Iowa. She was the daughter of Leo and Fannie (Carney) Maher. Wilma attended Fairmont public schools and graduated from Fairmont High School in 1948. She was baptized on Oct. 4, 1934, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Muscatine, Iowa. Wilma reaffirmed her faith when she was baptized on Aug. 28, 2011, at Bethel Evangelical Free Church in Fairmont.

On March 5, 1950, Wilma was united in marriage to Kenneth R. Bird at Grace Lutheran Church in Fairmont. The couple resided in Fairmont, Alabama, Wells, and Kiester before returning to Fairmont. This union was blessed with two children, JoAnn and Jeffrey. Wilma and Ken shared over forty-nine years together before Ken passed away on Oct. 6, 1999.

On Aug. 30, 2003, Wilma was united in marriage to Francis W. Swanson at Bethel Evangelical Free Church in Fairmont. They lived in Fairmont while enjoying the winters in Casa Grande, Ariz., and shared over seventeen years together before Francis passed away on Dec. 3, 2020.

Wilma worked at the Martin County Recorder’s Office, then as a State Farm Insurance Assistant, and then as a secretary at the Kiester High School. She later worked at the Plum Door until her retirement in 2006.

Wilma was a member of Bethel Evangelical Free Church in Fairmont as well as the Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary, Martin County Genealogical Society, Gopher Hawkeye Power Association, and Bethel Lights Adult Bible Fellowship. During her free time, Wilma enjoyed square dancing with Ken, studying genealogy, bird watching and identifying, traveling, and everything Branson!

Left to cherish her memory include her son, Jeffrey Bird; daughter, JoAnn (Curtis) Myers; former daughter-in-law, Carolyn Bird; bonus son, Dennis (Carol) Mattson; stepchildren, Daniel (Mary) Swanson, Linda (Brian) Sauck, Roger (Heidi) Swanson, and Cathy (Matthew “Lee”) Frasier; grandchildren, Sarah Bird, Shelly (Bryan) Tomforde, Noelle (Steve) Pauli, and Christopher (Mignot Teshome-Mattson) Mattson; great grandchildren, Sabrina, Hudson, and Violet Tomforde, Gavin and Avery Pauli, and Abby, Natan, Logan, and Maya Mattson; many step grandchildren and great grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Patricia (Bird) Drager, Marian Holland, and Elaine Lenz; brother-in-law, Edward (Lorna) Swanson; many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends; as well as her precious kitty, Tanner.

Along with her parents, Leo and Fannie Maher, Wilma was preceded in death by her first husband, Ken Bird; second husband, Francis Swanson; stepfather, Gus Kramer; brothers-in-law, Lyle (Avis) Bird, and Larry Drager; parents-in-law, James Harry and Dorcus Bird; and Swanson family members, Robert (Charlene) Swanson, Marv (Ella Jean) Holland, Maurice Holland, and Lester Lenz.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be directed to Bethel Evangelical Free Church, the Martin County Humane Society, UHD Hospice, or to the donor’s choice.

www.lakeviewfuneralhome.net

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