Claudia D. Hirl

Claudia D. Hirl, 61, of Chandler, Ariz., formerly of Des Moines and Reinbeck, passed away on Saturday, May 12, 2012 at her home. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, May 19, 2012, at United Church of Christ in Reinbeck, Iowa, with Pastor Joel Love officiating. Visitation will be held on Friday, May 18, 2012 from 4 to 6 PM at the French-Hand Funeral Home in Reinbeck. Burial will follow funeral services at the Reinbeck Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the family. To leave a message of condolence for the family, please visit www.abelsfuneralhomes.com.

Claudia Diane was born on January 9, 1951 in Waterloo, Iowa, the daughter of Robert & Mae Jean (Willer) Hoeppner. She grew up in the Reinbeck area and graduated from Reinbeck High School with the class of 1969. After high school, she attended the Ellsworth Community College to earn an associate degree. She met and married Richard J. Hirl and they enjoyed living in several states, including Colorado Springs, Colo., Cheyenne Wyo., and Dallas, Texas. They returned to Des Moines in 1984. Claudia worked for some of the top insurance companies in Iowa including Holmes Murphy in Des Moines, Iowa, Hawkeye Securities, and then Allied Insurance in Des Moines where she worked as a Senior Insurance Underwriter. Claudia then moved to Chandler, Ariz., where she continued to work for Allied until the time of her death.

She was a fabulous interior designer. She could easily turn any space into something spectacular. Claudia also enjoyed golfing and was a member of the Executive Women’s Golf League for several years. Claudia loved to spend time with her family and friends. It seems that everyone she met became a close friend, she was absolutely unforgettable.

Surviving her is her daughter, Melissa (Bryan) Riensche of Gilbert, Ariz.; mother, Mae Jean Hoeppner of Reinbeck; sister, Rebecca Hoeppner of Ames, Iowa; and nephew Jeffery Havlik; and many aunts, uncles and cousins. Claudia was preceded in death by her father, Robert and her husband Richard.