Obituary for Martha Reinhardt Bird
Martha Reinhardt Bird was born in Sparta. Yes, that Sparta of old where heroes are born and raised, groomed to go out and change the world for the sake of their kingdom. And she is perhaps its greatest hero, that up until this moment her exploits had not been known. But not the Sparta in Greece, that other Sparta, the small farm town of Sparta, Illinois. And not the soldier of combat, but a warrior of Love, Peace and God's spirit.
Martha was that tall, nice, smart girl of Ruth and Kenneth Reinhardt's. Remember, they lived out southwest of town on a farm, and she could do everything well. The eldest of the three, she was cute and so danged bright, and from early on she became a mother and a protector to many. But she had so many skills for a girl her age, was mature, and could run the farm and handle a tractor as well as the men, but was smarter, and it seemed like her potential inevitably would lead her to a greater journey.
So when she met her husband, Verne, they started out on journey which they couldn't have imagined on their wedding day. And circumstances quickly had them move away from their roots in southern Illinois, but they never left it. They took it with them. They brought the dreams, teaching and inspiration of friends and family and by faith, they moved on. Steeleville. Carbondale. Chicago. Springfield. Omaha. Denver.
But even before that, she was the first in the family to push beyond our nation and she flew to Italy, visited the ancient ruins and then on to exotic places beyond our shores to Hawaii, and beyond to Guam. The kind of things people only saw in books or movies. Even at that, she hadn't reached her great potential, and her love of people and abilities drew her to the study of Nursing. And with all things, she was dedicated and became an excellent nurse. Awards, and "nurse of the year" would soon be hers.
She helped thousands with her skills. As many people as you've shaken hands with in the year, she probably helped more individuals through the crisis's of their lives and saw them through. We don't think she ever treated "patients" or "customers', but she wept with, cared for, and treated people. People she loved. And people who in turn, loved her.
And her skills grew, even her early piano lessons turned into music ministry for many churches and later nursing homes.
She raised many kids of all ages; nourished, encouraged and helped them, even having two of her own, a girl and a boy, Christina and Curtis, who enjoyed her insight and support, and followed her lead into her two passions of nursing and music.
Time couldn't allow us to innumerate all that she overcame and endured, though you know a bit of the health challenges that would have stopped most of us, or at least given us an excuse to quit, but by grace she powered through with even more compassion and determination.
After her husband passed, and as her golden years arrived, she retired victorious, celebrated and loved, to focus on family, and become the traveling granny that played music, made dinner and helped with homework. When she was on the beach in Miami, you could take her shells and show her the jellyfish you caught in a bucket to hear her exclaim "Oooooo!! So coooll!!" . And as she had become mother to many, she became "Granny" to many more.
But with all great heroes, their end can be their greatest battle. This battle would be hard, an unfair fight, with the odds stacked against her. As she entered the arena. There was a mighty cloud of witnesses, all familiar faces to cheer her on, and with prepared heart and mind she fought. And as she lost, she won. And onto the field raced her giddy, exuberant husband to grab our hero to join the crowd and watch over their grandchildren, Sarah Douglas, Micah Bird and Elijah Bird... but also to watch and cheer on you, as you realize this is your time in the arena and she's yelling your name with heavenly host, that you will fight and win.
Martha was that tall, nice, smart girl of Ruth and Kenneth Reinhardt's. Remember, they lived out southwest of town on a farm, and she could do everything well. The eldest of the three, she was cute and so danged bright, and from early on she became a mother and a protector to many. But she had so many skills for a girl her age, was mature, and could run the farm and handle a tractor as well as the men, but was smarter, and it seemed like her potential inevitably would lead her to a greater journey.
So when she met her husband, Verne, they started out on journey which they couldn't have imagined on their wedding day. And circumstances quickly had them move away from their roots in southern Illinois, but they never left it. They took it with them. They brought the dreams, teaching and inspiration of friends and family and by faith, they moved on. Steeleville. Carbondale. Chicago. Springfield. Omaha. Denver.
But even before that, she was the first in the family to push beyond our nation and she flew to Italy, visited the ancient ruins and then on to exotic places beyond our shores to Hawaii, and beyond to Guam. The kind of things people only saw in books or movies. Even at that, she hadn't reached her great potential, and her love of people and abilities drew her to the study of Nursing. And with all things, she was dedicated and became an excellent nurse. Awards, and "nurse of the year" would soon be hers.
She helped thousands with her skills. As many people as you've shaken hands with in the year, she probably helped more individuals through the crisis's of their lives and saw them through. We don't think she ever treated "patients" or "customers', but she wept with, cared for, and treated people. People she loved. And people who in turn, loved her.
And her skills grew, even her early piano lessons turned into music ministry for many churches and later nursing homes.
She raised many kids of all ages; nourished, encouraged and helped them, even having two of her own, a girl and a boy, Christina and Curtis, who enjoyed her insight and support, and followed her lead into her two passions of nursing and music.
Time couldn't allow us to innumerate all that she overcame and endured, though you know a bit of the health challenges that would have stopped most of us, or at least given us an excuse to quit, but by grace she powered through with even more compassion and determination.
After her husband passed, and as her golden years arrived, she retired victorious, celebrated and loved, to focus on family, and become the traveling granny that played music, made dinner and helped with homework. When she was on the beach in Miami, you could take her shells and show her the jellyfish you caught in a bucket to hear her exclaim "Oooooo!! So coooll!!" . And as she had become mother to many, she became "Granny" to many more.
But with all great heroes, their end can be their greatest battle. This battle would be hard, an unfair fight, with the odds stacked against her. As she entered the arena. There was a mighty cloud of witnesses, all familiar faces to cheer her on, and with prepared heart and mind she fought. And as she lost, she won. And onto the field raced her giddy, exuberant husband to grab our hero to join the crowd and watch over their grandchildren, Sarah Douglas, Micah Bird and Elijah Bird... but also to watch and cheer on you, as you realize this is your time in the arena and she's yelling your name with heavenly host, that you will fight and win.
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Previous Events
Visitation
Friday
13
May
9:30 AM
- 12:00 PM
DeWitt and Tabler Funeral Directors, LLC
12114 Grant Circle
Thornton, CO 80241
Service
Friday
13
May
1:00 PM
- 2:00 PM
Crossroads Church
10451 Huron Street
Northglenn, CO 80234
Reception to follow the service at the church.
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