Hazel Pierschbacher Wirthle Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Obituary for Hazel Webb Pierschbacher Wirthle Hazel Lorraine Webb Pierschbacher Wirthle was born February 15, 1926 at the family home on a farm in English township of Lucas County to parents Raymond G. and Lula J. (Hopkins) Webb. She passed away in her sleep Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at the Westridge Nursing Center, in Knoxville, Iowa, at the age of 94 years. As a young woman, Hazel worked for a glove factory and a cake decorating factory. On June 2, 1949 she was united in marriage to Stuart Roderick Pierschbacher. To this union two children were born, Michael and Leota. The couple farmed in the Chariton area and Hazel worked as a cake decorator for Hy-Vee in Chariton. Early in her life, when her parents wouldn’t let her train to be a nurse, she left school without graduating. One of her proudest moments occurred later in the 1960s when after much hard studying, she received her GED. Following Stuart’s death in 1975, Hazel was united in marriage to Wilbur Lawrence Wirthle on April 17, 1979. The couple made their home in Knoxville where Hazel worked as a cake decorator at the Hy-Vee there. Many citizens of Knoxville have enjoyed one of her cake “creations”. In her spare time, Hazel enjoyed oil painting on canvas. She was an accomplished artist, having produced more than 200 paintings, and everyone who knew her has at least one of her paintings hanging on their wall. She had a winning smile and a sharp sense of humor always having a new joke to tell. She was also active in the Pleasant Prairie Methodist Church for many years. In addition to her parents, Hazel was preceded in death by her husband, Stuart and her second husband Wilbur in 1999. Those left to cherish Hazel’s memory include her son, Michael Pierschbacher and his partner Chuck Delinsky of San Diego, California; sister, Betty Pierschbacher of Chariton and many nieces, nephews, and other family members and friends. Acknowledging the pandemic, a private burial was held on Tuesday, December 22, 2020 at the Chariton Cemetery where she was interred between her two beloved husbands with some family members in attendance. A graveside memorial service for the public will be announced sometime next year when the threat of COVID has subsided. In lieu of flowers, Hazel would very much appreciate a donation to Canine Partners for Life (https://k94life.org/give/campaign/).

Hazel Pierschbacher Wirthle

February 15, 1926 - December 15, 2020