Alvin “Al” Mathias Hirsch passed away, Friday May 3, 2013 of natural causes just shy of his 80th birthday.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 7, at St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Wabasso.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. Monday, May 6, at the church with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services on Tuesday. Interment is in St. Anne’s Catholic Cemetery. Stephens Funeral Service – Redwood Valley Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Alvin was born on May 28th, 1933 in Wabasso, MN, the first of 8 children born to Francis and Gladys (Eichten) Hirsch. He was baptized in 1933 and attended St. Anne’s School in Wabasso where he played basketball and the slide trombone, graduating in 1951. After graduation Alvin enlisted in the United States Navy serving 4 years during the Korean War. He received an honorable discharge in 1955. In 1957 Alvin married Elizabeth “Kay” Jenniges at St. Mathias Church in Wanda and had three children. Alvin operated the family business, Hirsch Electric, Inc., in Wabasso for more than 25 years. He was a lifelong member of St. Anne’s Catholic Church and was very active in the community during his life including: Justice of the Peace 3 years, Wabasso Fire Department for 20 years (2 years as chief), an initial member of the Wabasso Ambulance Service, a 56 year member of the Wabasso Legion, City Council Member for 12 years, and had been an original member of the local Economic Development Authority (EDA) & Five Star Foundation. Alvin contributed his time and energy to many organizations and charities in Wabasso during his life. He was an avid hunter and fisherman in his younger years, but instead favored watching and feeding birds in his later years. He enjoyed reading history books and traveled to many national monuments and historical sites in the United States. Alvin loved his family, his country, and the community of Wabasso. He was a patriot. He very much enjoyed spending time with, and watching his grandchildren grow.
Alvin is survived by his wife Kay of 56 years; children: Karen (Louis) Folkman of Morris, Robert (Alicia) Hirsch of Prairie Village, KS, and Patrick (Leah) Hirsch of Lee’s Summit, MO; grandchildren: Ben and Katie Folkman, Cecelia and Mathias Hirsch; siblings: Richard of Tampa, FL, Patricia (Dennis) Rue of Carlos, Rita (Gary) Schatz of Maple Grove, Mark of Wabasso, Mike of Grant, NE, Elaine (Richard) Wurscher of Billings, MT, & Joleen (Craig) Olson of Eden Prairie; and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother-in-law Marvin Beranek, and a niece Joanna Hirsch.
Alvin will be missed by his family and many friends in the community. Blessed be his memory.