LAKE MILLS - Walter Lewis “Walt” “Lewie” Bird, age 70, of Lake Mills, passed away on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022, after a battle with liver cancer, at Rainbow Hospice Care in Johnson Creek. He was born on Nov. 15, 1952, in Tecumseh, Mich., the son of Walter and Margaret (Dickerson) Bird.

Walter served in the U.S. Army and the Civil Air Patrol. He worked as a respiratory care practitioner for 30 years at Fort Atkinson Hospital.

Walter was united in marriage to his first love, Linda VanRiper, on June 27, 1970, and she preceded him in death on April 10, 2002. He found love a second time and married Julie Bartz on May 2, 2009. She passed away on Nov. 12, 2017.

Walter is survived by his children, James (Kristen) Bird of Madison; stepchildren, Brandi Dye of Janesville, Ron Larson of Abingdon, Ill., TJ (Amanda) Crick of Janesville and Tyler (Emily) Fish of Janesville; grandchildren, Michael Bird of Madison; Jonathan Simmons of Madison; Keegan and Jillian Spooner of Janesville; Jonathan, Bailey and Seth Larson of Abingdon, Ill.; Madelyn Cooper, Addison, Grace and Brooklyn Fish of Janesville; and Elijah Crick of Janesville; siblings, David, Janet, Kathy, Karen, Rebecca, Sherry, Robert and Jennie; and many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wives, Linda Bird and Julie Bartz; parents, Walter and Margaret Bird; siblings, Rosella, Frances, Ellen, Mary, Betty, Marguerite, Judy, Nancy, David, Donald and Jack; and son-in-law, Robert Dye.

A funeral service will be held at THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS, 600 E. Lake Park Place, Lake Mills, at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2022, followed by a luncheon. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service on Wednesday. Interment will take place at Riverside Cemetery in Clinton, Mich., at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022.

A special thank you to Rainbow Hospice Care in Jefferson County. We cannot thank you enough for all of your caring assistance and knowledge.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420

Walter L. Bird

November 15, 1951 - August 18, 2022

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