Isobel Nesterick Zirnhelt passed away peacefully on Friday, November 19 at Dove Wissota Healthcare Center in Chippewa Falls, five days short of her 98th birthday.
Isobel was born on November 24, 1923, in Gilbert, Minnesota, and grew up on a farm in the community of Huron, Wisconsin, the adopted daughter of Benjamin and Marie Heighton.
Isobel graduated from Stanley High School in 1940 and in 1946 married Paul Nesterick. They settled on a neighboring farm in Huron and raised a family of four children. Paul passed away in 1962.
On May 10, 1975, she married Leonard Zirnhelt. Isobel and Leonard lived on the family farm until 1997 when they moved to an apartment in Chippewa Falls, where they lived until 2010 when Isobel moved to Syverson Lutheran Home in Eau Claire. In 2018, she transferred to Dove Wissota Healthcare Center.
Isobel taught catechism for many years at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Huron.
After raising her family, she took training to become a nurse’s aide, following which she worked in Stanley and Cornell. Isobel enjoyed gardening, crocheting, reading, and spending time with her grandchildren, who affectionately called her “Grandma Bell.”
Isobel is survived by her husband Leonard, her children Elaine (Steve Matthews) Nesterick of Ventura, California, James (Patti) Nesterick of Huron, Jean Nesterick of Eau Claire and Pauline (Duane) Moats of Chippewa Falls; three grandchildren, James Jr. (Christine) Nesterick of Huron, Michael (Kristin) Nesterick of Oshkosh, and Genae Matthews of Ventura, California; and six great grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are being handled by the Cremation Society of Wisconsin in Altoona.