Joan Claudette Hirman

Joan C. Hirman age 73 of Alexandria died on Sunday, February 15, 2015 at her home. A Funeral Service will be held 11:30 AM on Thursday, February 19, 2015 at Zion Lutheran Church in Alexandria. Visitation will be held from 4-7 PM on Wednesday, February 18, 2015 at the Anderson Funeral Home one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday. Interment will be held 12 PM on Friday, February 20, 2015 at Ripley Cemetery in Litchfield In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Zion Lutheran Church in Alexandria. Joan Claudette Hirman was born August 21, 1941 at the Thiel Hospital in Bertha, Todd County, Minnesota, the daughter of Claude and Dorothy (Cameron) Morical. For a short time the family made their home in a rented farmhouse near Bertha before moving to a farm owned by Joseph “Joe” Marck, an elderly Bohemian, at the intersection of Minnesota Highway 210 and 29 in Ottertail County. Joe had a long beard and lived in the house as a boarder and became Joan’s friend as a little girl and part of her earliest memories. Joan started first grade at country school near Joe’s place. The following spring her parents bought a farm near Wrightstown, MN and she finished first grade at Bertha. On July 27, 1948 she was baptized at her grandparent’s (Cameron) farmhouse near Wrightstown by Rev. Delmont Gordy. Joan’s family moved several times during her youth living near Windom and Underwood, MN. In her senior year they moved to the twin cities and in 1959 Joan graduated from Mounds View High School in New Brighton, MN. After high school, Joan stayed in the twin cities where she worked at the Honeywell Aerospace Division in St. Anthony, MN, as a personnel office receptionist. While working there she met her future husband who had come in to apply for a job. While still dating her future husband, Joan accepted a position to become an airline stewardess for North Central Airlines. After being stationed in Detroit and working as a stewardess she decided to move back to the twin cities. She again got a job with Honeywell, this time as the executive office receptionist. On April 4, 1964 Joan was united in marriage to Arland Hirman. The couple initially made their home in Anoka, MN, and later in New Brighton, Minnetonka, Victoria, Duluth, Cook, Naples, FL and finally Alexandria in retirement years. On June 11, 1964, Rev. Henry F. Beltz at Trinity Lutheran of Lake Johanna (LCMS) confirmed her where they were members. To this union three children were born: Michael Rohn, Julie Maria and Steven Ross. They raised their family principally in Duluth. Raising and parenting her children was Joan’s greatest joy. She was a loving mother imparting wise counsel and teaching them to keep centered at home and in Christ Jesus. Her ability to read people was exceptional. Her wit, smile and infectious laugh kept the mood light and friendly. Joan taught herself how to paint with oils and watercolor and created many beautiful paintings. She loved decorating her home and was masterful with color. Homemaking was an avocation. She liked dogs and cats – her childhood dog was named “Stubby.” She was an avid reader of the Laura Ingalls Wilder “Little House on the Prairie” book series. She had many interests and was admired by people she came in contact. On Sunday, February 15, 2015 Joan at the age of 73 years answered the call of the Lord. She died of complications due to Alzheimer’s at her home in Alexandria. Joan was preceded in death by her father and mother and is survived by her loving husband Arland Hirman and brother Gary (Linda) Morical, of Battle Lake, MN; three children, Michael (Araceli) Hirman of San Diego, Julie (Mark) McCombs of Plymouth, MN, Steven (Kari) Hirman of Wayzata, MN; and four grandchildren, Phillip and Leah of San Diego, Grant & Ava of Plymouth.

Joan Claudette Hirman

August 21, 1941 - February 15, 2015