Amy Heather Hird

HIRD, DOUGLAS, STRAUSS

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 10/2/2020 at 22:39:56

Amy Heather Hird, 51, of Mount Vernon, passed away suddenly Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020.
Amy was the daughter of Dr. Ronald and the late Vivien (Douglass) Strauss. She was raised in Iowa City from the time she was in second grade. Amy swam competitively for the Iowa City Swim Club and won a state championship from
Iowa City West where she graduated in 1987. She received a bachelor's degree from St. Olaf College in Minnesota. Amy had a lifelong love of water and spent her best times at the beach, lake, ocean or pool.
Jeff and Amy met in October 2004, it was love at first sight. They were married three months later. They had a fantastic marriage. They never took their foot off the pedal. They always would say that they still were on their honeymoon. For more than 20 years, Amy provided day care so she could stay at home and raise their children. Amy began a career in 2019 as an administrative assistant at Revive Aesthetics in Cedar Rapids and loved her job and her co-workers.
Amy is survived by her loving husband, Jeff Hird of Mount Vernon; the couple's seven children, Claire Hird (26), Ryan Baker (24), Haley Baker (21), Connor Hird (21), Zach Baker (19), Jackson Hird (15) and Cooper Hird (14); her father, Dr. Ron Strauss and his special friend Cassandra Mariano; her in-laws, Bob and Cheryl Hird; her two sisters, Dawn Strauss and Heidi (Chad) Colony; her sisters-in-law, Jennifer (Vinay) Tikka and Laura Dunn; and numerous beloved nieces and nephews. She also was very close to her former brother-in-law, Glenn Downs.
Amy always wanted to be a mom. She did an amazing job -- not only raising her own kids, but also her childrens' friends, whom she called "The Fraternity." Most kids refer to her as their Second Mom. Amy always would make everyone feel welcome; no one ever left her house hungry or unloved. As a mom she always was on the sidelines cheering the kids on at every one of their events. She was especially fond of basketball, football and wrestling. She was only 5-foot-3 but always dove in to help on college move-in day. Amy was the life of the party, she loved to dance and lived life to the fullest.
A memorial service to celebrate Amy's life will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 5, at Antioch Christian Church at 433 Cross Rd., in Marion, Iowa. Everyone who cared about Amy is welcome to attend. Please bring your best memories of Amy. A GoFundMe page has been established. Arrangements are with Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Mount Vernon.
Please share your love and support with Amy's family on her tribute wall at www.stewartbaxter.com under obituaries. There also will be a link on her tribute wall for a livestream of her memorial service.