Hirscher, Frank Eugene

Frank Eugene Hirscher, 83, passed away peacefully of cancer at his Fitchburg home on December 17, 2024.  Frank was born to Kreszentia (Grace) and Mathew Hirscher on June 18, 1941, in Monroe, WI. Shortly after, his family moved to Hollandale, where he attended grade school and high school, and worked with his dad and mom at their cheese factory.  Frank regularly picked up heavy 10-gallon milk cans from Hollandale farmers and delivered them to the factory for cheese making.  

Throughout his life, Frank had a love of cars.  He had careers painting and repairing cars at Madison Motors and Smart Motors, and as a car insurance adjuster. But what he especially enjoyed was working on his red 1932 Ford Street Rod.  Frank was also a pilot. He held multiple ratings including commercial pilot and flight instructor. He worked part-time at Four Lakes Aviation teaching students.  There he met his wife, Marcia Wuilleumier, the niece of the owner, who was taking lessons at the time. They were married in 1972 and they had two sons.  

While Frank enjoyed his hobbies, nothing mattered more to him than his family and his Catholic faith.  Frank enjoyed several Catholic pilgrimages to Medjugorje, Lourdes, Basilica of our Lady of Guadalupe, and the Holy Land, and was a daily Mass attendee.  His family and faith sustained him through the challenges he faced when Marcie died of a brain tumor in 2000, and as he faced his own transition out of this life.  

Frank is survived by his sons Matthew, daughter-in-law Alissa and their five children: Amelie, Tess, Molly, Declan, Blaise; and Steven, daughter-in-law Julia and their two sons: Miles and Evan.  He is also survived by his sister Rita Esch (of Dodgeville, WI) and her four children, their spouses and 14 grandchildren and his sister Liz Dixon (of Denver, CO) and spouse Russ, two children and one grandchild.  Frank is preceded in death by his parents, wife, and granddaughter, Adeline Rose.  

The funeral service will be held on Monday, Dec. 23, at 11 a.m. with visitation at 10 a.m. until time of service at ST. MARIA GORETTI CHURCH, Madison, WI.  Memorials may be made to St. Maria Goretti Parish.  A special thank you to Rita Esch, and Fr. Scott Emerson for all their support during this difficult journey.  Cress Funeral Home, Madison, is serving the family.