Rose Hirsch

Rose Hirsch was a woman of true character, one who lived by strong core values. She passed these values on to her family with a wonderful smile and a warm, giving heart. Through her warmth and devotion, Rose exemplified all the wonderful things that a wife, mother and grandmother should be.

Rose's story began when her parents, Nick and Catherine (Delach) Delach, of Croatia and Yugoslavia, immigrated to the United States in search of a better life. Nick made the journey to the U.S. first in order to find work, and Catherine followed later on one of Titanic's sister ships, though she was originally booked on the Titanic. Nick found work in the Upper Peninsula in the copper mines, but after saving some money, the couple moved to Mattawan, where they bought a grape farm.

With the end of the Great War, the year 1919 marked a time of change in American history with a booming post-war economy. Nick and Catherine were among the many expecting parents. Already the proud parents of three daughters, on September 13, 1919, the couple welcomed the birth of their fourth daughter, Rose, in Painsdale, Michigan. The four girls were joined over the next eight years by four brothers, rounding out the Delach family with eight children.

Rose was only a couple years old when the family moved to the grape farm in Mattawan. Her mother was a wonderful homemaker, and although they were poor, Rose had many happy childhood memories to look back on. Like many young girls of the time, she attended the Mattawan schools until the eighth grade, and then went to work at Bowers Manufacturing.

Rose's life took a new direction when she met her future husband, Robert Hirsch, on a blind date. She was initially supposed to go out with Bob's brother, Les, but he had another date and sent Bob instead. Lucky for Bob, the two hit if off from the start and they were happily married on September 14, 1946. Before their kids arrived, and through out their married life, they enjoyed going dancing every Saturday night at the VFW hall. They were amazing dancers, and smooth as butter on the dance floor, hence earning them the nickname "gliders." In 1952, Bob and Rose delighted in the birth of their first child, daughter Deborah, who was joined four years later by their son, Mark. Bob also had two children, Robert Jr. and Mary, from a previous marriage, but they were grown already when Deborah and Mark were born.

The family of four lived in Kalamazoo until 1957, when they moved to Mattawan to the original Delach farm house. Then, in 1963, Bob bought an acre of land on which he built their home, which they lived in for the rest of their lives. Rose was a wonderful wife and mother, and always put the needs of her family first. She was a fabulous cook and made many delicious dishes for her family over the years, including her homemade chicken noodle soup, roast beef, sauerkraut and strudel. When it came to dessert, though, Rose made a homemade pie crust that was to die for (her secret was to use lard instead of butter). She always found time to help out on the grape farm, and to tend to her garden, much of which she canned for future use. When she had time to sit down, Rose enjoyed crocheting and made many of her own clothes and lacey doilies for the house.

The family enjoyed many summer vacations fishing up north, though Rose was left to clean and cook them for dinner. In later years, Rose took two trips to Alaska to visit her daughter who lived there. Rose was very much old school when it came to good values, and she made sure to instill these lifelong values into her children. The holidays were very much traditional and always celebrated at Rose's house with a wonderful meal and treats for the kids. Rose loved doting on her two grandsons, whom she loved dearly.

Bob earned a living working at Johnson Lumber Yard, and then at Checker Motor as a Foreman until his retirement in 1980. Unfortunately, he suffered a devastating stroke in 1984, which left him without speech and paralyzed on the right side. Rose took wonderful care of her husband over the next ten years and was devoted to his every need. In 1994, Bob was diagnosed with cancer and ultimately died.

Rose was a pretty petite lady, but had a big heart and an even bigger smile. She wasn't one to sit around - she always had to be doing something. Unfortunately, she suffered a stroke and had Parkinson's disease, which affected her speech and mobility, and limited her to what she could do. This was very hard on Rose, not being able to help others. Rose's daughter, Deborah, moved back and lived with her to care for her, as she had done for others.

Rose will be remembered by her family as a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother. She will be dearly missed.

Rose Hirsch of Mattawan, MI, died on May 29, 2007, at her home. Learn more about Rose, view her life story film, and visit with her family and friends on Thursday, May 31, from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home, Betzler & Thompson, in Paw Paw (657-3870), where services will be held on Friday, June 1, at 11:00 a.m. Burial will take place in Maple Grove Cemetery, Mattawan, followed by food and fellowship at the Calvary Baptist Church, Paw Paw.

Rose was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Hirsch, 3 siblings: Madeline Kendall, Tony and John Delach, and 2 step grandchildren: Tina and Chris. Members of her family include 2 children: Deborah Hirsch of Mattawan and Mark (Susan) Hirsch of Vicksburg; 2 grandsons: David and Daniel Hirsch; 2 stepchildren: Robert, Jr. (Marge) Hirsch of Kalamazoo, Mary Mast of Kalamazoo; several step great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory or photo of Rose or sign her online guest book. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan.