Velma M. Hirschi

POCATELLO – Velma Hirschi, 86, long-time Pocatello resident, passed away peacefully Monday, April 5, 2016 at a local care facility.

Velma was born July 22, 1929 to Thomas Arvle and Aileen (Wheeler) Wolverton in Pocatello. She was a graduate of Pocatello High School.

Velma met John "Keith" Hirschi and they quickly became sweethearts and were married June 19, 1946. She was involved with several singing groups as a young woman. She served as a Reading Aide at Lewis Clark Elementary School, she and Keith opened and operated K&V Drive Inn for a time, and was a cook at Highland High School. They provided a home to Indian Placement Students, Emma, Noah, Phyllis, Sandy, Harold and Sherwood. She was always honored to volunteer as an election worker.

Velma was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Some of her callings were in Relief Society, Young Womens, Cub Scouts, Nursery, and a temple worker. In their later years, she and Keith served two full-time missions; in 1989, they began service in the Canada Vancouver Mission, and in 1993 their willingness to serve took them to Jamaica.
Velma is survived by her children, Larry (Sandra) Hirschi, West Jordan, UT; Gary (Beverly) Hirschi, Chubbuck; Janet (Ron) Wright, Herriman, UT; Tarry (Cindy) Hirschi, American Falls; Hal Hirschi, Pocatello; a sister, Joanne Bloom, Gatesville, TX; 35 grandchildren, 105 great-grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Velma was preceded in death by her loving husband, Keith Hirschi; parents, Thomas and Aileen Wolverton; siblings, Lean (John) Bahler, Keith (Janet) Wolverton, Claude (Gertrude) Wolverton, Gene (Jane) Wolverton, Verda (Guy) Wilson, Rachel (Maurice) Cregar, a daughter-in-law, Debbie Norton Hirschi, and two grandsons, Derek Wright and Jeremy Scott Hirschi.

Velma's family would like to express their gratitude to Dr. Lavonne Mills, Heritage Home Health and Hospice, and the caring staff at The Gables. Their attentiveness will always be deeply regarded by her family. She appreciated the daily, loving care given by her family members.

Funeral services for Velma will be held at 11:00AM, Tuesday, April 12, 2016 at Pocatello West LDS Stake Center, 3444 Hawthorne Road. A viewing will be held Monday evening from 6-8:00PM at Wilks Funeral Home, 211 W. Chubbuck Road, and from 10-10:45AM Tuesday prior to the services at the church. Interment will follow at Restlawn Memorial Gardens.

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