Karen Jo Bird

 Karen Jo (Baker) Bird, 72, of Mason City, passed away Friday, May, 2014, surrounded by loved ones at the Good Shepherd Health Center. There was a Celebration of Life Open House for Karen on Saturday, May 10, 2014, at St. James Lutheran Church, Mason City. Per Karen’s wishes, her body was cremated. Memorials may be directed to the family of Karen Bird, 305 27th St. 

SW., Mason City, Iowa, 50401. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.majorericksonfuneralhome.com.
 Karen was born on Jan. 30, 1942 in Fort Dodge, Iowa. She grew up in a small, but close family, with her father, mother, and two brothers. She attended school in LuVerne, Iowa, and graduated from LuVerne High School in 1960. Karen and James Bird (deceased) were married in Mason City, on Aug. 22, 1964. Karen and James had one daughter, Susan (Sue), born in July of 1968; Karen and Sue were inseparable from that moment on. If you saw Karen, Sue was never far behind.
Karen lived and worked in Mason City for over 48 years. Karen worked as the Business Manager at KIMT and retired from that position after 43 years. Although she was retired, anyone who knew Karen knew that would not last long. Within a year she took a position at Younkers Department Store and spent her days doing what she loved best, interacting with and helping people. Karen had a great passion for her work; no matter what she did you could count on her to handle any situation with integrity, grace and charm.
Karen was often the smallest person in the room, yet always had the biggest personality. Her smile could warm your heart and she could turn any negative into a positive. No matter how an interaction with Karen may have begun, it always ended up with smiles and laughter. She was definitely a social butterfly.  Karen enjoyed her chocolate malts from Birdsall’s, listening to music on Pandora, and spending her free time with her family. Her family was her life.
Karen is survived by her brother, Mick Baker; sister-in-law, Cathie Baker; daughter, Susan Kral; two grandsons, Jacob Kral and Nathan Kral; two great-grandchildren, Carter Kral and Amelia Kral, all of Mason City. She is also survived by several cousins, nieces and nephews and special friends, Greg Bradbury, Carol Bahnsen, Christine Foth (Bahnsen), Lynn Jansen (Bahnsen) and Jill Buland.
Karen was preceded in death by her father, Cecil R. (Red) Baker; mother, Velma P. (Babe) Baker; brother, Donald R. Baker; husband, James L. Bird; sister-in-law, Sally Baker; and two brothers-in-law, Joey Lee and R. David Bird.
Arrangements were made by Major Erickson Funeral Home & Crematory, Mason City.