Honoring Tradition.
Celebrating Life.

Hirrel Abrahamson

January 19, 1926 - January 8, 2018
Grand Rapids, MI

//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/019/120224/120224-01.jpg



Visitation

Thursday, January 11, 2018
5:00 PM to 8:00 PM EST
Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes
Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel
2120 Lake Michigan Dr., N.W.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 453-8263
Driving Directions

Service

Friday, January 12, 2018
11:00 AM EST
First Evangelical Covenant Church
1933 Tremont Blvd. N.W
Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Faith Hospice
8214 Pfeiffer Farms Dr. SW
Byron Center, MI 49315
(616) 235-5113
Driving Directions
Web Site

Covenant Village Memory Care Unit
2150 Lake Michigan Dr. N.W.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Ball Park Floral
8 Valley Ave.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 459-3409
Driving Directions
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


Print

Hirrel Elaine Hector was born on January 19, 1926 in Cadillac, Michigan to Bessie (Magnuson) and David Hector. She grew up with her dear siblings Ann and David and enjoyed youth activities at First Covenant Church. After graduating from Cadillac High School, Hirrel completed her registered nursing degree at Swedish Covenant Hospital in Chicago. Returning home, Hirrel met the dashing Carl Abrahamson at a young adult church function. They fell in love and married on May 20, 1950.

Hirrel and Carl soon made their home in Grand Rapids. Carl worked as an accountant for General Motors and Hirrel raised their four children, Tim, Jan, Beth, and Bill. She nourished her family with homespun cooking and phenomenal blueberry pies. As family was her first priority, she worked third shift as an RN at Butterworth Hospital and as a private duty nurse. First Evangelical Covenant Church became their cherished faith community.

Hirrel loved traveling and building family memories. Summer adventures to national parks and state campgrounds in the infamous popup Pleasure Mate camper will never be forgotten. The cottage on Lake Mitchell was a particularly special retreat, and Hirrel loved sharing that wonderful place with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Apple, berry, and cherry picking and family reunions with the Hectors were always a highlight.

Hirrel was devastated when Carl died 27 years ago, but she continued to find joy in her faith, family, and friends. She was devoted to praying for others, volunteered with the hospice group who helped care for Carl, and joined a mission trip to Chile to help build an orphanage. Hirrel was a hands on gramma: on the floor, kids in her lap, reading, playing, and laughing with them.

While soft spoken, Hirrel's profound and vibrant faith in her Savior inspired her serving heart. She read her Bible daily, enjoyed many strong friendships at First Evangelical Covenant Church, was active in the service work of Covenant Women, and was a prayer warrior in the prayer chain ministry.

Though she had increasing short term memory loss, she enjoyed relatively good health and was an active resident of Covenant Village for many years before recently suffering a series of strokes. She peacefully entered the presence of her Lord on January 8, 2018.

Hirrel was proceeded in death by parents Bessie and David Hector, husband Carl, brother David, sister Ann Lundberg, and grandchildren Lindsay Beth Dykhouse and Casey James Dykhouse. She is survived by children Tim (Muffi) Abrahamson, Jan (Jerry) Gerber, Beth (Dan) Dykhouse, and Bill (Sandie) Abrahamson, 10 grandchildren, and 19 great grandchildren.