Lavern J. Bird, 60, of Dubuque, IA passed away unexpectedly April 4, 2024 at home.

Friends may greet the family from 3 to 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 9 at the Egelhof, Siegert & Casper Funeral Home and Crematory, 2659 JFK Road. Military Honors will be conducted at 4:30 p.m., funeral service will follow at 5 p.m. Inurnment will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery at a later date.

Lavern was born on September 5, 1963 in Dubuque, IA, to Charles and Germaine Bird and grew up alongside his eight siblings. He graduated from Dubuque Senior High School in 1981 where he had perfect attendance all four years. In 1983, he enlisted in the United States Air Force, Surgical Services. Lavern was an avid learner. He graduated from Surgical Specialist Technical School in 1983, the Community College of the Air Force in 1987, and received his B.S.N. from UW Madison in 1991.  He then went on to receive his Masters in Healthcare Administration from Cardinal Stritch University in 1995, and his Masters of Business Administration from the University of Dubuque in 2001.

Lavern was devoted to his faith, family and work and was known for his positive attitude. As a faith-filled man he served as a lector at his parish and was sponsored by Fr. Marvin Bries to study for the Archdiocese of Dubuque diaconate program to which he devoted two years of study.

He was a wonderful son, brother, and father. In his free time, Lavern enjoyed fishing, hunting morels, and spending time with his cat, Miss Claire. He worked in healthcare all of his life. He last served as the administrator of Dubuque Specialty Care. He held other leadership positions at Luther Manor Communities, Hillcrest Family Services, Finley/United Point Hospital, Tri-State Surgery Center, Central Community Hospital, Mercy Medical Center, and Mayo Clinic – Franciscan Healthcare.

Those left to cherish his memory include his children Amanda (Michael) Fiez and Haley Bird, both of Madison, WI; siblings: Karen (Bob) Knepper, Leon Bird, Diane (Jeff) Bertsch, Jo Ann Rust, Dale (Kelly) Bird and Janet (John) Weidemann. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Butch (Vernon) Bird and Lawrence Bird, and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, a Lavern Bird Memorial fund has been established.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.egelhofsiegertcasper.com.