The first smiling adult thousands of children saw for thousands of days and the last before they got home each night. Braving the weather, early mornings, late nights, field trips, away games, parades, and more, always diligent for their safety.  This was Birdie's world as a school bus driver for almost 40 years.

Albertha "Birdie" Talarico, 79, of Proctor, MN passed away in the early hours on January 13, 2024 in her daughter's home in Ohio.

Birdie was born in Slayton, MN to Cornelius & Helen Sankey on March 24th. She was raised and attended school in Chandler, MN. Throughout her life she worked a variety of jobs, from washing laundry and rolling hair for the church ladies as a child, to short order cook as a young adult, honing her well-known cooking skills. The career that meant the most to her though was driving school bus. The majority of her driving career was for the Proctor school district, where she served almost 40 years. She served multiple terms as a past President for the Holy Apostles Episcopal Church Women (ECW) Guild and the Proctor School Bus Drivers Association. Over the years she also served her community as a foster parent and distributing food to those in need. She was a skilled gardener, canner, baker, quilter and lover of flowers, birds, and dogs.

Birdie was preceded in death by her husband, Wadeno Talarico, Jr.; and her parents.

Birdie is survived by her children, Carmella (Tim), Dawn (Paul), Shawn (Pam), and Vince; grandchildren, Myranda (Levi), Catianna, and Galianna; great-granddaughter, Vienna; and sister, Josephine (Don-deceased).

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to her home care and home hospice teams that always treated her with caring, dignity, and respect, and all those who called, wrote, and messaged her during her later years. She cherished your company more than you know.

Visitation will be held at 2:00 PM on January 27th at Sunrise Funeral Home, 4798 Miller Trunk Highway, Hermantown, MN, with Funeral service to follow at 3:00 PM.