Alvera Ruth Hirschey
Alvera Ruth Hirschey
On July 15,2016, Alvera Ruth Hirschey died peacefully in her sleep of complications after suffering a fall.
She was 96 years old, and had recently moved to Lafayette, LA. Before her move, Vera had been a resident of Edina, Minnesota for over 50 years and a lifelong Midwesterner.
Born Alvera Ruth Anderson (Vera) on November 1, 1919 in Springfield, Minnesota, she was the youngest of thirteen children in the Albert and Olga Anderson Family, and was the last surviving member. She spent her childhood growing up on the Anderson family farms in Bismarck, North Dakota and Springfield, Minnesota. Vera was extremely proud of her farming heritage, and her stories of growing up with her brothers and sisters on the farm were some of her fondest memories.
In addition to being a life-long “farm girl”, Vera was also a nurse, earning her Registered Nursing degree from Bethesda Hospital in 1947, and her degree in Public Health Nursing from the University of Minnesota. She went on to become an operating room nurse, and an operating room supervisor at Miller Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota. Miss Alvera Anderson, RN, affectionately known as “Andy” to both her patients and colleagues alike, always had wonderful stories of her nursing career, and the friendships she made during her time caring for others.
Vera married fellow University of Minnesota Golden Gopher Gordon E. Muske in October 1954. They raised their twin daughters, Kris and Susan, in Hopkins, MN; Kansas City, MO; Philadelphia, PA; and Chicago, IL; as Gordon was an executive with Chrysler Corporation. The Muske Family traveled across the USA and around the world. After Gordon passed away she married Dr. Miles B. Hirschey in 1976 and lived in Edina, MN. Together with her daughters, they continued to travel the world, adventure after adventure.
After her career in nursing came to a close, Vera became a dedicated and longtime employee at Dayton’s department store at the Southdale Mall in Edina, Minnesota. She worked in the table linens department for over fifteen years, often earning the award of “Top Sales Person”. Her daughters recall their Mom knew everyone who walked into the store, and she was always happy to see them.
Vera was a loyal and active member of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She was a PEO sister and Girl Scout leader among her numerous volunteer activities. Vera always loved a good cup of coffee and playing cards.
Vera will be remembered best for her loving, generous heart. She always had a smile and kind word for her friends and family. She was unparalleled in her sense of humor and wit, and could always be counted on to make others laugh until they cried. She was strong, independent, and had an optimistic, “can-do” spirit that was infectious. She will also be remembered for her great love of her twin daughters, grandchildren, and her family.
Alvera is survived by her twin daughters, Kris Ann (Muske) Close and Susan Ann (Muske) Schroeder; son in-laws, Kerry L. Close and C. Alan Schroeder; grandchildren, Susan A. (Close) Gottardi and Dr. Raphael Gottardi, Barbara A. Close, Clinton A. Schroeder, III, Gordon E. Schroeder; and many loving nieces and nephews. Alvera is preceded in death by her husbands Gordon. E. Muske and Dr. Miles B. Hirschey.
A private memorial service will be held in Lafayette, Louisiana.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent in Alvera R. Hirschey’s name to the University Of Minnesota School of Nursing. University of Minnesota Foundation, P.O. Box 860266, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55486
A special thank you to Ecumen Senior Living of Apple Valley, Minnesota; Brookdale Senior Living of Eagan, Minnesota; Cedar Crest of Lafayette, Louisiana and Bridgeway Hospice of Lafayette, Louisiana; St. Joseph Hospice of Lafayette, Louisiana.