ALVA CHARLOTTE (WEIDNER) HIRZEL

Alva Charlotte (Weidner) Hirzel passed away peacefully at the age of 92, on April 12, 2021, at Hospice of Northwest Ohio. Alva was born on July 22, 1928, to Emil and Natalie (Grenke) Weidner in Chicago, Illinois. Her parents divorced when she was young and her mother married Julius Hartwig Sr., whom Alva loved dearly. In 1943, at the age of 15, Alva lost her mom to cancer and dropped out of high school to raise her 5-year-old brother, Julius Hartwig Jr. She was very proud that at the age of 50, she earned her GED.

In 1947, she met Bob Hirzel at church. They married on July 15, 1950 and spent 62 years together. Her late husband’s family were owners of Alfred Hirzel and Sons Greenhouses. She worked as a bookkeeper at State Bank in Toledo until she and Bob started their family and Alva stayed at home to raise their children.

Alva was an avid reader, loved playing cards and listening to polka music. She played Bunco for many years with her neighbors on Marilyn Drive. She was a member of the United Swiss Ladies and the GBU, volunteering many years at the German American Festival. Alva and Bob traveled to Switzerland, Hawaii and many U.S. states. She was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Toledo, for 75 years, where she volunteered, taught Sunday school and enjoyed Spares and Pairs. Recently, she became a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Delta.

Alva is survived by her children, Robert D. Hirzel, Cheryl (Kevin) Fitzpatrick, Nancy (Craig) LaHote; grandchildren, Michael (Katie) Fitzpatrick, Nicholas Fitzpatrick, Mark (Rachael) Fitzpatrick, Lindsay (Austin) Rozelle, Alex (Kelly) LaHote, Jessica LaHote; great-grandchildren, Reese Fitzpatrick, Nolan Fitzpatrick, Leah Fitzpatrick, Evelynn Rozelle, Logan Rozelle, Jackson LaHote, Connor LaHote, and dear friend, Barbara Mazur.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Robert L. Hirzel, and brother, Julius Hartwig Jr.

Visitation will be Thursday, April 15, from 3 to 8 p.m., at Sujkowski-Walker Funeral Home in Rossford (419-666-1566). A memorial service will be held Friday, April 16, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Toledo, at 11 a.m. (visitation prior to funeral beginning at 10 a.m.) Burial will follow at Lake Township Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or Hospice of Northwest Ohio.