Birth date: Aug 9, 1924 Death date: Apr 23, 2022
Racine – Ola Hirth, 97, passed away peacefully at his home with family at his side on Saturday, April 23, 2022. Ola was born in Voss, Norway to Anders and Anna (nee Halrynjo) Hirth on August 9, 1924. He lived his younger years in Read Obituary
Jim and Darren, I am sorry for your loss. -Leah (Korn) Palmer
Shirley-Jim-Darren-& Kari
Great memories with all of you at Mt. Tom.
Due to some health issues I’m unable to come to the visitation.
Sending hugs 🫂. Jane Madisen
About three weeks ago, I visited Ola and Shirley at their home, and even in his last month, Ola was young at heart. We sat on their family room couch and laughed and laughed as Ola told some of his favorite life stories. Ola came to the U.S. from Norway in 1950 and joined Nordlyset lodge in 1951. He socialized with other Norwegian-Americans at Wergeland Hall, which was located where the city bus depot is now on State Street, just east of Memorial Drive.
There are large wooden skis mounted on the wall and a trophy case filled with Ola's ski jumping awards In Ola and Shirley's family room. When he moved to Racine in 1951, Ola ski jumped at the jump located off of Spring Street. It ran along the slope between Spring Street and the Root River. After the jump was dismantled, Ola was part of a group of skiers who made their winter sports home at Mount Tom, just east of Burlington. Ola once shared with me a scrapbook of newspaper clippings that recounted his impressive ski jumping achievements. He was athletically competitive with world-class Olympian jumpers, and was friends with some of the pioneers of ski jumping in America, many of whom came from Norway. Ola continued to downhill ski until age 92, when he broke some bones while skiing. That's when Shirley insisted it was time to quit.
Ola was very proud of his Norwegian heritage. Some of his family members were very active in the Norwegian resistance in World War II. Ola's hair-raising story about his father and him "conscripting" a load of grain from the Germans during World War II was published in the book Hidden Heroes: Norway in World War II.
Ola stood apart from others with his extreme cheerfulness and infectious laugh. He had a tremendous sense of humor and brightened the day of everyone he met. Ola served as Nordlyset lodge president in the past, and was often called upon to sing the Norwegian national anthem and give the Norwegian table prayer at lodge meetings.
Our prayers are with his wife, Shirley, and children Jim, Kari and Darren, and their grandchildren, as they most keenly feel the void of Ola's passing. The family was very dedicated in taking care of Ola during the last months of his life. God bless Ola Hirth and his family.
Sending our most sincere condolences to the family. Sending prayers for peace and comfort.
Condolences to the Hirth Family
Ola was a very Special Man
I remember the Day I met him.
He learned my husband was Norwegian and a Friendship of 16 years began.
He brought so many Smiles
We Love You Ola and Shirley
You Bring Joy through all the Memories
Becky and Tom Haarstad
With peace, love, and sympathy to the family. Ola Hirth was an amazing and special man. I am honored to be friends and neighbor of his wonderful daughter Kari and the Farrington family. He will live on in many beautiful memories. Marybeth Zuhlke
