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Hirl, Claudia D.
Claudia D. Hirl, 61, of Chandler, Ariz., formerly of Des Moines and Reinbeck, Iowa, passed away Saturday, May 12, 2012, at her home. A funeral service will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 19, at United Church of Christ in Reinbeck, with Pastor Joel Love officiating. Visitation will be held Friday, May 18, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the French-Hand Funeral Home in Reinbeck. Burial will follow funeral services at the Reinbeck Cemetery.
Claudia Diane was born Jan. 9, 1951, in Waterloo, Iowa, the daughter of Robert and Mae Jean (Willer) Hoeppner. She grew up in the Reinbeck area and graduated from Reinbeck High School with the class of 1969. After high school, she attended the Ellsworth Community College to earn an associate degree. She met and married Richard J. Hirl and they enjoyed living in several states, including Colorado Springs, Colo., Cheyenne, Wyo., and Dallas, Texas. They returned to Des Moines in 1984.
Claudia worked for some of the top insurance companies in Iowa, including Holmes Murphy in Des Moines, Hawkeye Securities, and then Allied Insurance in Des Moines, where she worked as a senior insurance underwriter. Claudia then moved to Chandler, Ariz., where she continued to work for Allied until the time of her death.
She was a fabulous interior designer. She could easily turn any space into something spectacular. Claudia also enjoyed golf and was a member of the Executive Women's Golf League for several years.
Claudia loved to spend time with her family and friends. It seems everyone she met became a close friend; she was absolutely unforgettable.
Surviving her are her daughter, Melissa (Bryan) Riensche of Gilbert, Ariz.; mother, Mae Jean Hoeppner of Reinbeck; sister, Rebecca Hoeppner of Ames; nephew, Jeffery Havlik; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
Claudia was preceded in death by her father, Robert; and her husband, Richard.
Memorials may be directed to the family.
To leave a message of condolence for the family, please visit the website at www.abelsfuneralhomes.com
Published May 16, 2012 in The Gazette
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