Washington Evening Journal
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Obituaries

Monday, January 30, 2023
Karol-Kay Rachel Bird
City: Iowa City
Funeral Home
Lensing Funeral and Cremation Service
Monday, January 30, 2023
Karol-Kay Rachel Bird
Karol-Kay Rachel Bird
Iowa City
Karol Bird passed away on Tuesday, January 10, 2023.
Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 10 AM Monday, January 16 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Iowa City. Father Stephen Witt officiated. Visitation was Sunday, January 22 from 2 PM to 4 PM at Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service in Iowa City. Entombment will be at the Memory Gardens Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Mary’s Church, the Regina Foundation, or to DVIP.
Karol was born to Velma (Williams) and Herbert H. Kent on April 26, 1936 in Iowa City. She received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Iowa.
Karol married Edward Brown on August 9, 1954. Edward died in 1980. On July 17, 1982 Karol married LeRoy Bird. Leroy passed away in 2011.
Karol lived in Iowa City her entire life and was an elementary teacher in Lone Tree until retirement in 1999.
Karol’s faith was very important to her. She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, the National Education Association, Retired School Personnel Association, and Voices of Experience at the Iowa City Senior Center.
Karol is survived by her three children Elaine (Raleigh) Nelson of Newport, MN, Glenn (Sara) Brown of Iowa City, and Steven (Nancy) Brown of Omaha, NE; 12 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren; stepchildren, Janet (Bob) Kline, Diana (Robert) Schmidt, Ronald Bird, Michael Bird, and Alan (Susan) Bird; numerous grand- and great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and a large extended family.
Karol was preceded in death by her parents; husband Edward Brown; husband Leroy Bird; sisters Elizabeth Kent, Sandra Kent, Mary Holderness, and Esther Ross, and her brother Herbert Kent.
Online condolences shared at www.lensingfuneral.com.