Medium: Stained glass

Location: Main entry

Mikkelsen Library Collection

Ken Bird taught English and was a counselor in Revillo and Lake Andes, where he was renowned for directing exceptional high school theater productions. In 1979, he moved to Rapid City and took a class in stained glass art. This new passion led him to quit teaching and open Dakota Stained Glass, through which he designed stained glass pieces for churches, schools, hospitals, and homes until his death in 2017.

The Mikkelsen Library's piece, Along Life's Journey, was given in memory of Don and Lucy Fryxell. 

Along Life's Journey

It twists. It turns. It starts and then it seems to stop. There can be open desolate areas or spots of incredible brightness. But despite its ragged edges life's journey goes on. And every once in a while there are people who have such an influence on you, they seem to pierce your very existence. 

Such a person was Dr. Lucy Fryxell in my journey. With her love of language and a passion for literature, she gave me an appreciation for both the structure of our words and their ability to communicate. She truly nourished my love affair with our language and taught me one undeniable truth. What good is the greatest gift, our spirit, unless we are able to communicate and share it?

That, to me, is the essence of life's journey.

Ken Bird, '72

English Major

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