Betty Ardell Hirt was born on February 14, 1925, in Paullina, Iowa, where she was baptized in the Lutheran faith. She passed away at the Sanford Sheldon Medical Center on July 13, 2025, having reached the age of 100 years, four months, 29 days.

    When she was six, Betty moved to Hartley, Iowa along with her parents, Laura (Strampe) and Julius Brehmer. Following graduation from Hartley High School in 1942, she began working at the local newspaper, the Hartley SENTINEL, as bookkeeper, proofreader and ultimately, as linotype operator.

    She was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hartley where she became church organist immediately after she was confirmed at the age of 14. She continued this service for many years. She also sang in St. Paul’s choir and quartet.

    On April 9, 1944, Betty was united in marriage to Cloy Hirt. They were blessed with two daughters: Jennene Lauree and Jeri Ann. After farming in the Hartley area for 45 years, they retired to Spirit Lake, Iowa where they built a home on West Lake Okoboji Harbor. They became members of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Spirit Lake.

   Mrs. Hirt was preceded in death by her husband of 78 years, Cloy; her parents; a brother, William Brehmer; a sister, Marlene Kroger; nieces: Lori Ames and Billie Lee Brehmer; and one great-great-grandson, Caden Diersen.

    She is survived by her daughters and their husbands: Jennene and Glenn Maurer of Sheldon, Iowa and Jeri and James Potter of Clear Lake, Iowa; four grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren; her sister-in-law and her husband, Konnie and Roger Bojens.

    As per her wishes, Betty has been cremated and has now joined Cloy in their companion urn.

Memorial service and burial for Cloy and Betty

will take place at a later date.