Bennett Sampson Bird

  General Notes:

Bennett S. Bird, 99, of 1134 W. Westfield St., Oshkosh, died Wednesday, July 4, 2001.

He was born on Sept. 23, 1901, in South Byron to Sidney and Maude (Sampson) Bird.

After graduation from the University of Wisconsin Farm and industry short course in 1920, he farmed with his father in South Byron. Bird and his father founded the second DHIA milk testing organization in Wisconsin.

He married Ethel Kintzler in 1923, and they started Spring Rock Farm in Brownsville, Wis., developing a registered Holstein herd under the Spring Rock Farm prefix.

Bird's career was always three-faceted, including agriculture, government and community service. He remained active with Spring Rock Farm until its sale in 1997, spent 37 years with the United States Department of Agriculture's ASCS service, including over 20 years at the Fond du Lac County manager.

His wide variety of community service activities included the "1931 founders group" (and life-long member) of the South Byron Grange. During World War II he served as director of the War Price and Rationing Board for Fond du Lac County. He was the first president of the Fond du Lac County Co-op and served several terms as president of the Fond du Lac County Red Cross,

He was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church and served on Wisconsin Power and Light Company and the Byron Center boards of directors. After his retirement, he served a term as president of the area AARP organization.

Survivors include sons, Robert C. (Beverly) of Fond du Lac and Stanley E. (Kathleen) of New Brighton, Min.; daughters, Jeanne (Arthur) Culver of La Palma, Calif an Ruth (Stephan) Scholly of Glenview, Ill.; and one brother, Norris (Mary Ann) Bird of Fond du Lac. In addition to his four children, 14 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren survive him.

Bird was preceded in death by his wife, Ethel just weeks before they were to celebrate their 75thwedding anniversary; a son Allan; three sisters; and two brothers.

Services: Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 7, 2001, at Trinity United Methodist Church in Lomira. Burial will be at Avoca Cemetery in Oakfield.

Visitation: Visitation will be held at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of the services.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Evergreen Retirement Community, Oshkosh, Wis., the Red Cross, or Trinity United Methodist Church, Lomira, Wis.

Kietzer Funeral Home, Lomira is serving the family.

The Reporter July 06, 2001

  Research Notes:

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Bennett married Ethel Marie Kintzler on 19 Sep 1923. (Ethel Marie Kintzler was born on 16 Nov 1903 in Fond du Lac, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, United States of America and died on 3 Sep 1998 in Oshkosh, Winnebago, Wisconsin, United States of America.)

  Marriage Notes:

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