Vicki Kay (Pals) HIRSCH

HIRSCH, PALS, BISHOP, SANTERAMO, BOVA

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 3/1/2013 at 19:40:55

September 11, 1939 ---- February 26, 2013

BELMOND — Vicki Kay Hirsch, 73, of Alexander, passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2013, at the Rehabilitation Center of Belmond under Hospice Care following a courageous three and a half year battle with breast cancer, with her loving family at her side. A funeral service will take place on Saturday, March 2, 10:30 a.m., at Trinity Lutheran Church, 304 Third Ave. N.E., Belmond. The Rev. Troy Pflibsen will officiate. Burial will be in the Belmond Cemetery. Visitation will be held Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Andrews Funeral Home, 516 First St. S.E., Belmond, and continues one hour prior to the services at church Saturday. Those wishing to express their sympathies through a card or memorial in Vicki’s name may wish to direct them in care of Walt Hirsch, Box 224, Belmond, IA 50421.

Vicki was born on Sept. 11, 1939, in Belmond, daughter of Else and Lois Pals. She graduated from East High School, Waterloo, in 1957. She worked as a secretary at Rath Packing Co. in Waterloo immediately following high school graduation where she met her future husband and mate, Walt. They married on Oct. 29, 1960, in Waterloo. During their marriage, the couple lived in such places as New York, Pennsylvania, Chicago, St. Louis, Omaha, Minneapolis, Waterloo and eventually settled in Alexander, in 1994.

Vicki worked for the Waterloo School District from 1977 to 1985 and later in life enjoyed a passion for tole painting, teaching the craft to others and selling her beautiful works in a variety of locations. She was an active member of Weight Watchers, participating and leading regular meetings in the area. She loved her church family and enjoyed bell ringing and church Bible studies. She had given of her time and energy in volunteer work at the Belmond Medical Center. Vicki found joy in everyday living and was an inspiration to others. She was a perfectionist in all that she set forth to accomplish. Her greatest loving in life next to her husband was her two daughters. She treasured being with her family and eagerly awaited summer to play golf and enjoy an outdoor walk. She loved to raise flowers and had looked forward to a brisk afternoon on cross country ski trail relishing the wonderful gifts of God’s creation in nature.

She is survived by her husband and life partner of more than 50 years, Walter, Alexander; two daughters, Pam (Kevin) Bishop of Glenville, Minn. and Nancy Hirsch of Plymouth, Minn.; her mother, Lois Pals of Belmond; one grandson, Colin Bishop of Glenville, Minn. and her sister, Elsie Santeramo, Longmont, Colo., and Elsie’s children, and their families, Johnny (Sandy) Santeramo, Mead, Colo., and Christi Bova (Donnie), Longmont, Colo., and a nephew, David (Christine) Hirsch, Lincoln Park, Ill., and their son, John, Lincoln Park, Ill. Vivki is also survivved by an uncle, and several aunts and cousins. She is preceded in death by her father, Else Pals and brother-in-law John Santeramo. Andrews Funeral Home, Belmond, Iowa.

March 1, 2013
Mason City Globe Gazette - Iowa