Barbara (Barb) Susan Hirsch, 72, of Mineral Point, Wisconsin, passed away April 25, 2026, after a courageous three-year battle with pancreatic cancer.
Barb was born November 11, 1953, to Richard Sr. and Lois (Juhl) Bishop at Tripler Hospital in Hawaii, while her father was serving in the Navy. The family later settled in Lewis, Iowa. She graduated from Griswold High School in 1971 and went on to attend Barnes Beauty School in Council Bluffs, Iowa, where she met her future husband, William (Bill) Hirsch, who was stationed at Offutt Air Force Base near Omaha, Nebraska. They were married March 27, 1976, in Wiota, Iowa a union that would last 50 years. Together they had three sons: Jason, Dustin, and Nathan.
Bill and Barb made their home in Iowa and Wisconsin. Barb worked as a beautician for several years before beginning a 32-year career with Lands’ End in Dodgeville, Wisconsin, from which she retired. The couple cherished their winters in Florida and were devoted travelers who enjoyed many cruises, including two trips to her birthplace in Hawaii. Barb also treasured her annual girls’ weekend trips to the Amana Colonies with her sisters and nieces. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who beamed with joy whenever she spoke of her family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Richard Sr. and Lois Bishop; her son Dustin, who died in infancy; her parents-in-law, Clyde and Hazel Hirsch; her brother Richard Bishop Jr .; her sisters-in-law Donna Novinski and Dorothy Hirsch; and her brothers-in-law Jerry Hirsch and Pat O’flahrity.
She is survived by her husband, Bill; her children Jason (Lisa) Hirsch and Nathan (Dianna) Hirsch; her grandchildren Levi, Dane, Kenzie, and Nathan Hirsch II; her beloved dog, Shadow; her brother Kenneth Bishop; her sister Carole Christensen; her sisters-in-law Bonnie Bishop, Jane O’flahrity, Judy Mills, and Doris Wehrenberg; her brothers-in-law Donald Hirsch, Terry Mills, and Dick Wehrenberg; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A Celebration of Life for Barb Hirsch will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Mineral Point. A Visitation will be held on Saturday from 9:00 until 11:00 a.m. at the church.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Iowa County Cancer Coalition would be appreciated.
Barb will be remembered for her kindness and her deep, abiding love for family and friends.
Gorgen Funeral Home
310 Ridge St. Mineral Point, WI 53565 www.gorgenfh.com