Livy W. Hird

Livy W. Hird, 90 of Ellendale, ND died June 30, 2015 at Prince of Peace Care Center, Ellendale. He was born on April 3, 1925, in rural Russell Township, ND, to William Siddle Hird and Nyva Marie (Johnson). He was the oldest of five children. At age nine, the depression caused the family to move from the farm to the nearby town of Edgeley, ND. Livy graduated as the salutatorian of his high school class in 1942. Soon after graduation, he enlisted in the Navy to serve in World War II. Livy was trained as a radar technician as a result of a Navy aptitude test. Radar was highly classified/top secret technology at the time. Livy was soon deployed to the island of Guam where he was responsible for repairing radar equipment on US warships. He was officially discharged from the service as an Electronics Technician 2nd Class on May 14, 1946. After the service, Livy enrolled at Wahpeton State School of Science where he graduated in Electrical Engineering. During his college years he courted Neone Eveleth Dunsdon, also of Edgeley, whom he married on October 5, 1947. After college, Livy joined his father and brothers, Sam and Rex, in the operation of Hirds and Sons, Inc., an International Harvester farm equipment dealership. The family business would eventually expand to include dealerships in LaMoure, Ellendale and Jamestown, ND. Livy moved to Ellendale to run that business in 1965. Neone worked by his side as his bookkeeper. Livy closed his business in 1989 due to the farming recession. He then began his second career, working at the local newspaper office, the Dickey County Leader. He eventually served as editor of the paper. He retired in 2008 at the age of 83. Livy’s community involvement included the Masons, Lions, volunteer fireman, school board, American Legion, VFW, Shriners and Methodist Church. He was instrumental in the construction of Edgeley’s first swimming pool and the local high school building. For recreation, Livy enjoyed shooting pool for most of his adult life. In 1974, Livy and Neone built their dream home on Pheasant Lake, located seven miles west of Ellendale. The lake home was the center of family and friends activities until 2012, when due to health issues, Livy and Neone moved back into Ellendale. Livy spent his last days as a resident at the local Prince of Peace Care Center. Livy is survived by his wife of 67 years, Neone; daughter Karen (Robert) Kaiser of Ellendale; two sons Kevin (Becky) Hird of Branson, MO and Kirk (Jenny) Hird of McKinney, TX; and sister Nyva Stewart of Imperial Beach, CA. Grandchildren include: Jeff (Nicole) Kaiser, Englewood, CO; Alison (Kyle) Wendt, Mitchelville, IA; Kelly (Jay) Potrzebski, New Lenox, IL; Lindsey (Matt) Hird-McCorry of Chicago, IL; Jessica (TJ) Lang of Durham, England; Jocelyn (Matt) Reynolds of Frisco, TX; Trevor (Ali) Hird of Austin, TX. Great-grand children include: Jacob, Alex and Evan Wendt; Lauren Kaiser; Kayla and Erik Potrzebski; Penelope, Henry and Theo Lang; Evelyn and Jade Reynolds; and Kennedy Hird. Livy was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Sam, Rex and Max Hird; and one granddaughter, Alicia Kaiser. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials are sent to the American Cancer Society (website donate.cancer.org) for cancer research. The funeral is 10:30am Friday at Presbyterian United Methodist Church, Ellendale with Pastor Paul Henschen officiating. Visitation is 3-7pm Thursday with a prayer service at 5:30pm Thursday at Hoven Funeral Chapel. Visitation continues one hour prior to the funeral on Friday. Burial with Military Honors is at Ellendale City Cemetery. Arrangements by Hoven Funeral Chapel, Ellendale.