Bessie Maud Bird, 84, Osawatomie, died Thursday, March 2, 2006, in her home.

She was born Jan. 19, 1922, in Paola, the second of four children of George Caldwell and Mary Alice Dempsey Judd. She grew up in Osawatomie, attended local schools and graduated in 1938 from Osawatomie High School.

She and Jerry Kuder were married in 1938 and became the parents of four children. They were divorced in 1958.

On Aug. 2, 1965, she and James Arthur Augustus Bird were married in Miami, Okla. Mr. Bird died Oct. 11, 1992.

Mrs. Bird was a licensed mental health technician at the Osawatomie State Hospital for 30 years. She worked there from March 3, 1959, until Nov. 17, 1987.

She had several hobbies, including embroidery work and being a Chiefs' fan. Most of all, she enjoyed her family.

Others preceding her in death were two brothers, Alan Judd and Jack Judd; a daughter, Renee Kuder-Berry, who died in 2000; and a grandson, Gussie Marsh, who died in 1972.

Survivors include her children, Kenneth Kuder and Ricky Kuder, both of Paola, Geraldine White of Osawatomie and Dennis Kuder of Louisburg; a stepson, Ronnie Bird of Laurie, Mo.; two stepdaughters, Cherie Scott and Kathy Underwood, both of Bonner Springs; a sister, Alice Stahl of Louisburg; 16 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

Services were Monday in Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home in Osawatomie, followed by burial in Osawatomie Cemetery. Pallbearers were Tom Kuder, Mike Kuder, Jeff Needham, Frank Osborn, Dennis Davey, Bob Oberzan and Brian McQuay.

Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association.