Dianne Bird

Reflecting on the life of Dianne Bird, words such as selfless, loving, and fun come to mind, yet the word that is the most fitting word to describe her is gregarious! She lived her life to the fullest, taking nothing for granted, and looking for the good in others. Her optimistic outlook and her commitment to her family will be the legacy she leaves behind to her many special friends and loved ones.

After many years of suffering through the Depression and World War II, the year 1949 brought much-needed prosperity. Televisions and cars were getting bigger and gaining in popularity in a growing consumer society. Harry and Cornelia “Connie” (Boukma) Vandergon welcomed home Dianne Beth on January 31, 1949, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Born just four minutes after her twin sister, Joanne, and joining their older sisters, Elaine and Marilyn, there was never a dull moment in her childhood. She and her siblings, spent countless summer days on their grandparent's dairy farm in Minnesota running around with their cousins.

Growing up on the west side of town on Jones Street, Dianne lived a typical childhood. With not many girls in the neighborhood, she grew accustomed to playing outdoors with the boys. She loved spending time in the garden with her dad and enjoying the warm Michigan summer visits to the lakeshore. After attending Fairview Elementary School she continued her education at Union High School. After graduation, Dianne found work at Old Kent Bank in the loan department where she remained for her entire 33-year career. She took pride in balancing accounts to the penny! In addition to her work, she was active in her faith at Highland Hills Baptist Church. She and Joanne sang in the choir and enjoyed the traditional hymns and songs. Dianne later joined Calvary Church and continued singing in the choir along with Joanne. A highlight of these years was singing for the Festival of Lights.

She and Joanne were inseparable throughout their lives. Avid travelers, they shared many vacations to Europe and Dianne included mission trips with her church. Selfless with their time and resources, they both enjoyed volunteering for the annual Old Kent River Bank Run and playing softball together. Always active and on the go, they also volunteered at the Kent County Humane Society, washing soiled blankets as they talked, laughed, and had a great time. They earned awards for most volunteer hours which was an honor for both of them. Dianne moved to a house in Richmond but stayed close to Joanne and her girls. She was a wonderful and supportive aunt to her nieces and never missed any invitation to a special occasion or event. Her family meant the world to her.

Not to be forgotten was the meeting of Bill Bird, who joined one of her groups at Calvary Church. The two of them shared many commonalities and joined in marriage on October 17, 1998. The newlyweds honeymooned in Niagara Falls. Diane enjoyed her time with Bill's son and daughter-in-law, Billy and Vickie. She would also become a step-grandmother to their children cherished time with them as well. Bill and Dianne shared her home on Richmond and enjoyed cheering on the Michigan State University Spartans! She and Bill loved to travel and shared adventures in Hawaii, Gatlinburg, Minnesota, Washington, D.C., and Cleveland. They shared a wonderful life until he passed away in 2019. Dianne leaned on her sisters to help her during this difficult time. About one year later, she moved to Porter Hills.

Sadly, she developed dementia and her health steadily declined. Dianne’s genuine and good-natured ways of showing affection will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who knew and loved her.

Dianne Beth Bird (Vandergon), age 75 of Grand Rapids, entered into the presence of her Lord and Savior on November 1, 2024. We rejoice that she is no longer suffering her in her earthly body. She was preceded in death by her husband, William “Bill” Bird in 2019; her parents, Harry and Connie Vandergon; and brothers-in-law David Rinzema and Wayne Bauer.

Dianne is survived by her sisters, Elaine Rinzema, Marilyn (David) Cook; her twin sister, Joanne Bauer; Bills children including his son, Billy (Vickie) Bird and their children, Ben and Katie Bird who brought so much joy to Dianne’s life; several nieces and nephews: Renee (Rob) Stehouwer, Heather (Dave) VerPlank, Kristin (Wes) Hauta, Dan Cook, Carol (Eric) Brown, Tim (Amanda) Cook, Cindy (Nick) Miller, Brian Bauer; and special nieces Lisa Dianne (Ray) Castillo and Laura Beth (Jeff) Perry to whom Dianne considered herself a co-parent.

The service to remember and celebrate Dianne’s life will be held on Thursday, November 7, 2024 at 2 PM at Hillside Community Church, 1440 68th Street SE where friends are invited to visit with her family beginning at 1 PM. To read more about Dianne, to share a memory or photo, or to sign her guestbook, visit www.heritagelifestory.com