Helga Hirsch, age 90, passed away on September 3, 2014 at Montrose Memorial Hospital. Helga was born on November 12, 1923 to August and Annie Siltala at Sebeka, Minnesota. Her parents, who came to America as children from Finland, were early pioneers in that area were involved in farming. Helga, the youngest of 14 children, grew up prior to the time electricity, came to the farms when work was done by horses. When the snow was heavy in the wintertime you went to town in a wagon pulled by horses. All Finns, especially farmers, had their sauna buildings. She always felt that these years helped her appreciate what she had in later years and better understood how things were in the earlier times. Helga walked 2 ½ miles to a country school. It was a two-room school for the first 4 years, then became a one-room school because of fewer large families. Her parents retired from farming and moved into town where she finished her schooling and graduated from Sebeka High School. Helga went to Minneapolis and worked as a secretary. She married George Hirsch and they were married for 67 years. Because of George’s job transfers they lived in Fremont, Nebraska; Denver, Colorado; Monmouth, Illinois and back to Minneapolis. The timing was good for the move back to Minneapolis as the young grandsons moved back there about that time. Their mother, George’s daughter, passed away and the boys lived with their other grandparents. George and Helga had opportunities to enjoy times with the grandsons. They then retired and moved to Custer, South Dakota in the Black Hills and lived there 16 years. They would go south for the coldest part of the winters to parts of Texas or Arizona. Then they moved to Cottonwood, Arizona and went north for the hottest part of the summer to Rexburg, Idaho or Duluth, Minnesota where colleges rented student apartments to senior citizens at reduced rates during their less busy time. The grandsons and later the great grand daughter would enjoy visiting them wherever they were and have a chance to explore new areas. Finally George and Helga found Montrose, a place for a permanent home with all seasons in moderation. They moved here in 1999 and remained happy with that choice. They traveled quite often during their vacation and retirement times, including a trip to Alaska by station wagon and camping. Helga made a trip to Asia, including a week’s visit in the home of her Japanese pen pals of many years. Prior to this time, that friend had visited in America and stayed at their home for 6 months. Helga is survived by step-grandsons, Randy (Beverly) & Ricky (Suzy) McDonald; great-granddaughter, Christina (Manolo); great great grandson, Manolo Fogg III, of the Minneapolis area and many nieces and nephews. Proceeding in death were her husband, George Hirsch; her parents, 5 brothers, 8 sisters and step daughter, Jill Rimarcik. She will be greatly missed by her family and many friends. A memorial service will take place on Thursday, September 11, 2014 at Zion Lutheran Church in Montrose, Colorado where Helga and George were members. Interment will follow at Evergreen Terrace Memorial Park next to her husband. Memorial contributions can be sent to Zion Lutheran Church, In Loving Memory of Helga Hirsch, 701 South Junction, Montrose, Colorado 81401. Arrangements are being handled under the direction and care of Sunset Mesa Funeral Directors (970) 240-9870.
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