BLUE MOUNDS - Evalyn Jeraldine (Cooley) Hirsch passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. I was born May 25, 1927, to Wes and Mary (Johns) Cooley in Lancaster, WI. I grew up in Fennimore with my two sisters Honor and Mary and graduated in 1946. I enjoyed spending my summers on the John’s farm outside Montfort, WI and was always sad that I had to put my shoes back on to go home in the Fall.

I worked at Parker Pen Company and Fenway Café which I later owned with Keith. I married my high school sweetheart, Keith Adolph Hirsch on August 26, 1949 and together we had Stephen, Gregory, Michael, Marcia (Chuck Christy) and Dianne.

On September 8, 1966 Keith and I purchased Hooterville Inn in Blue Mounds and ran it for 26 years. I believe I made the best potato salad and chili in the area! I enjoyed sports and going to my children and grandkids games. I enjoyed watching and cheering on the UW Badgers and Packers from my chair. For many years I bowled and was on the pool team (to my grandkids surprise, Grandma not only knew how to shoot pool, I had my own pool stick!)

Mom was a great cook! We ate home cooked meals and learned how to cook and bake from her, along with canning and freezing fruits and vegetables. Mom started the Blue Mounds girls’ softball team (to keep us out of trouble) and regularly drove a car load of kids into the Mt Horeb swimming pool before Blue Mounds State Park pool was built. She was strict but taught us to have a good work ethic (which she demonstrated daily), be courteous and use our manners. She also enjoyed playing cards, especially Euchre and games and taught several of us how to dance on the kitchen floor. In later years Mom enjoyed painting ceramics and took great pride in the beautiful work she created.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Keith; her sisters and brothers-in-law, Honor and Miles Riley and Mary and Lyle Key; and daughter-in-law, Sara Underwood Hirsch. She is survived by her five children as well as nine grandkids and 17 great-grandkids.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 12, 2023, at 12:30 p.m. followed by the funeral at 2 p.m. at West Blue Mounds Lutheran Church, 2962 Church St., Blue Mounds, and burial at West Blue Mounds Cemetery. In lieu of flowers (she wanted them when she was alive not dead), memorials can be made to any food bank. Thank you to both Ingleside Communities and Agrace HospiceCare for your kind and compassionate care of Mom.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Camacho Mount Horeb

Funeral & Cremation Care

500 N. Eighth St.

(608) 437-5077

Evalyn Jeraldine Hirsch

May 25, 1927 - February 21, 2023

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