Gary Hirth

Gary C. Hirth, 78, of Waukon, IA, died Monday, January 14, 2019, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse, WI. Funeral services will be held Friday, January 18th, at 11:00 AM at Zion United Church of Christ in Waukon with Pastor Samantha Houser and Pastor Kate Rupert officiating. Burial will be at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon. Friends may call from 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM Thursday at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon or the Allamakee Scholarship Foundation at Waukon High School; memorials can be sent to Lollie Hirth, 204 8th Avenue NW, Waukon, IA 52172.

Gary Charles Hirth was born April 17, 1940, in Waukon, IA, as the son of Alfred and Helen (Layer) Hirth. He grew up in the Churchtown area, was baptized and confirmed at First Presbyterian Church in Waukon, and graduated from Waukon High School. On October 24, 1959, Gary married Lollie Ehde at Zion United Church of Christ in Waukon. Gary lived in Allamakee County his whole life, including in the Village Creek and Ludlow areas before moving to Waukon in 1980. When he was a child, Gary hauled cream with his uncle Herbie and became hooked. Gary drove a milk truck for his entire life, with the exception of the short time he hauled livestock.  He loved every minute of it, from getting up early mornings to visiting with clients. He hauled milk for Truman Wurtzel before forming Hirth Haulers with his son Wayne in 1993.  In 2007, Gary retired.

He was a member of Zion United Church of Christ and helped deliver Meals on Wheels with Lollie. He loved spending time with his friends and family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He and Lollie enjoyed making trips to Texas, Colorado, and Florida to go see family. He also loved fishing, window-shopping for semis and pickup trucks, watching antique tractor auctions and playing cards. He was a big fan of the Chicago Cubs, the Iowa Hawkeyes, and Mollie B's Polka Party.

Gary is survived by his wife Lollie of Waukon; his children: Greg Hirth and Wayne (Diane) Hirth, both of Waukon, Jerry (Kendra) Hirth of Fair Oaks Ranch, TX, Lisa (Joe) McCaughey of Austin, TX, and Brent (Jennifer) Hirth of Keenesburg, CO; grandchildren: Nicholas, Jeremy, Alicia, Whitney, and Courtney Hirth, Baylee Hirth, Mike, Allie, and Sarah McCaughey, and Emily and Blayne Hirth; and great-grandchildren: Hadley and Sullivan Hirth and Huxley Hirth. He was preceded in death by his parents and infant son Richard Gary Hirth.

Casketbearers are Chris Flinker, Josh Smith, grandsons Nicholas and Jeremy Hirth and Mike McCaughey, and nephew Randy Pausch.  Honorary casketbearers are the rest of his grandchildren.