Katherine Helen Bird

Katherine Helen Savage Bird, age 84, of Springville, Utah, passed away on December 20, 2024, completing the final chapter of one of our favorite earthly stories.

On April 26, 1940, Clarence and Rose Lamb Savage joyfully welcomed their firstborn child, Katherine. It wasn’t long before she was joined by a brother, Robert (Renate), and sister, LaRue (John Child).

When Katherine was three years old, her father was killed in an accident, leaving behind his wife and three young children. Those were hard years. Happiness eventually returned when Rose married Waldo Harris Levanger who became “Dad” to Katherine and her siblings. He stepped into that role naturally and provided the stability that little family was missing. She loved him! Jean (Bekky) and Kent (Abby) Levanger, two much-loved younger brothers, arrived to complete their family.

Katherine’s childhood was not easy, but the challenges she faced enabled her to develop grit, determination and resilience that would become a blessing later in her life. She graduated from Springville High School and attended Utah State University on an academic scholarship until homesickness got the best of her and she returned to Springville.

This proved to be a good move for two reasons: First, she was hired at Geneva Steel and the position paid well enough that she was able to buy her dream car, a brand-new Corvair. Second, she met Phillip Freeman Bird at a picnic. Shortly after that picnic, she was driving down the street when she recognized Phil and casually waved to him. Katherine always said she didn’t remember that wave, but Phil sure did and he decided to ask her out on their first date.

It didn’t take Katherine long before she willingly traded that Corvair for Phil. She liked to tease that she mostly had no regrets about the trade. They were married August 24, 1962 in the Manti Temple. Together they began to build a truly wonderful life.

Five children arrived, each bringing unique talents and gifts that enriched their family. Their children are: Blaine (Marla), Brandt (Laura), Walter (Becky), Kirsten (Scott) Hullinger, and Lorna (Kirk) Newbold. They welcomed each child (and in-law) with love and happiness, but the real joy came later with the arrival of 23 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren!

Katherine’s hobbies were her home and family. Her greatest joy came from serving them, loving them and spending time with them. Sunday dinners at Grandma’s house always featured her famous mashed potatoes and her equally famous phrase, “Is everybody happy?”

She was everyone’s greatest supporter. She spent hours and hours in the bleachers at ball games and in the audience at performances and recitals. She would arrive at those events with a smile and her ever-present “granny bag” filled with treats that were available to every child in attendance, it didn’t matter if she knew their name or not. She was a grandma to everyone.

It wasn’t just the grandchildren that Katherine supported. She was also a great support to Phil in his work, community and church service throughout their marriage. That support has been lovingly reciprocated as Phil has been by her side, serving as her primary caregiver for the past several years. Their examples will be cherished by their posterity.

People and relationships were so important to Katherine. She found joy serving in the Primary and Young Women organizations and as a visiting teacher. Visits from her own ministering sisters also brought her much happiness.

While working at the office of J. Niel Strong, she developed lifelong, treasured friendships - particularly with Niel’s mother, Jane Strong. Katherine retired once, but missed everyone so much that she returned to work for a few more years.

She loved visiting with family and friends, phone conversations with her sister-in-law, Renate, and catching up with people at Ream’s, sometimes while Phil waited in the car wondering what was taking so long.

Katherine was an energetic, hard-working and productive little lady! She faced many health challenges over the past few years that were likely very difficult for her, but you would never know that. She faced each challenge with the same grit, determination and resilience that she had developed as a child. No one ever heard her complain, instead they heard her thanking her caregivers and saying to them, “I love you” each time they left her room.

Katherine has a deep faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ. She loved the Christmas season and all it represents. Her favorite things were: giving gifts, sharing with those in need, purchasing goats through the “Light the World” giving machines, serving, expressing love and gathering. Christmas will forever remind us that because He was born, she will live again.

Gathering was indeed Katherine’s favorite. We find so much joy knowing that she is gathering with loved ones that anxiously awaited her arrival: her parents, brothers Robert and Jean, in-laws John and Bekky, and perhaps the sweetest reunion of all with her little granddaughter, Elle Hullinger. We know she is saying to Elle exactly what she said to each of her grandchildren, “I’m a lucky grandma!”

Mom, Grandma, Katherine, we are the lucky ones. “Ding-dong dang-it” we are going to miss you, but we find peace knowing that you will always be an ever-present gift in our lives. We love you!

Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, December 30, 2024 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint Chapel, 2379 River Bottom Road, Springville, Utah. Viewings for family and friends will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Sunday, December 29, 2024 at Wheeler & Sundberg Funeral Home, 211 East 200 South, Springville, Utah and from 9:30-10:30 a.m. on Monday, December 30 before the services at the church. Burial will be in the Springville Evergreen Cemetery.

Condolences for the family may be expressed on this page.