Lena Sophia (Steppe) Bird

Lena Steppe Bird, 93, of rural West Terre Haute, passed away peacefully at Providence Healthcare on Sunday, November 11, 2018.  She was born April 22, 1925 on the family farm to Joseph Steppe of Munich, Germany and Mary Vanzetta Steppe of Matrei, Austria.  She married Bennie A. Bird in 1946. They were married 40 years.  He preceded her in death October 4, 1986.  After graduating in 1943 from Concannon High School, she worked at Providence kitchen, Quaker Maid, H & R Block and volunteered her tax service for twelve years in North Carolina and Vigo County. Lena was a life-long member of Saint Mary’s Village Church. She loved to travel, visiting all 50 states including Canada and several US territories. She enjoyed her annual mystery trips with her daughters. She was an avid reader, swam with the Young At Heart swim group for 33 years and enjoyed feeding the many birds at her feeder, especially hummingbirds.  Lena loved writing letters and sending cards to family, friends and fellow parishioners. Being with her family brought her the most joy, always keeping them updated on each other.

Survivors include her children Timothy Bird, Dave (Ruth Ann) Bird, Edie (Matt) Breneman, Jeannette (John) Wrin, Mark (Erna) Bird and Phil (Diana) Bird; 17 grandchildren, 29 great- grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, one sister-in-law Catherine Steppe and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her nine siblings: brothers Joe, John, Tom and Herman Steppe and sisters Mary Steppe, Josephine Baldwin, Bertha Egan, Anna Tidd and Edna Unger. She was also preceded in death by infant son Joseph Benjamin Bird and granddaughter Erin Bird Isles.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 am Friday, November 16, 2018 at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods Village Church with Father Joe Feltz officiating. Burial will follow in Bethesda Memorial Park. Visitation will be 4 to 8 pm Thursday at Fitzpatrick Funeral Home, 220 N. 3rd St., West Terre Haute, with a prayer service at 7 pm. The family would like to thank the staff at Providence Healthcare for their loving care to Lena. If friends so desire, memorial contributions may be made to Providence Food Pantry in West Terre Haute with envelopes available at the funeral home.

Online condolences can be left at:  www.fitzpatrickfunerals.com