BIRD VAN ORMAN

1917 - 2004

Mrs. Bird Mendenhall Van Orman of Taber, beloved wife of the late Mr. Van Demar Van Orman, passed away on Monday, January 19, 2004 at the age of 86 years.  
Bird was born at Raymond on June 20, 1917 and was the daughter of Thomas Tew Mendenhall and Hannah Gibb Mendenhall.  She received her schooling at Raymond and later attended Normal School in Calgary.  She taught school for three years prior to her marriage.   She married Van Demar Van Orman on December 25, 1941.  They settled in the Big Bend area where they farmed until 1961.  Bird later taught school in Taber, Calgary and in  Lethbridge.  She graduated in 1973 from the University of Lethbridge with her Bachelor of Education.  She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  
Bird is survived by her children Sandra (Ken) Pierson of Taber, Sharon (Don) Platt of Barnwell, Ronald (Janelle) of Raymond, Richard (Karen) of Redcliff, Collette (Glenn) Iwaasa of Raymond, Colin (Janeen) of Bountiful, Utah, Larry (Barbara) of Taber, Iris (Kent) Evanson of Stirling and Jane (Layne) Johnson of Barnwell;  53 grandchildren; 40 great grandchildren; brothers and sisters Jack (Ione) Mendenhall of Orem, Utah, Rae Evanson of Taber, Ralph (Bea) Rhea of Fort Macleod, Lorin (Mildred) Mendenhall of Raymond, Dawn (Bill) Brooks of Raymond; sister-in-law Alma Mendenhall of Raymond.  
She was predeceased by her husband Van Demar Van Orman, parents Thomas and Hannah Mendenhall, two brothers Gibb and Ross Mendenhall, three sisters Elizabeth Mendenhall, Virginia Holmes and Georgia Van Orman and also by four grandchildren.  
Relatives and friends are invited to meet the family in the Relief society Room of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Taber Stake Centre, (4709-50 Ave.) on Saturday, January 24, 2004 from 9:00 A.M. to 10:40 A.M.  
The Funeral Service will follow at 11:00 A.M. with Bishop Bruce Francis officiating.  Interment to follow in the Taber Memorial Garden.