Amy Hird
June 20, 1969 ~ September 29, 2020
Amy Heather Hird, 51, of Mount Vernon, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, September 29, 2020.
A livestream of the Memorial Service may be found here: https://www.hdezwebcast.com/show/remembering-amy-hird
Amy was the daughter of Dr. Ronald and the late Vivien (Douglass) Strauss. She was raised in Iowa City from the time she was in 2nd grade. Amy swam competitively for the Iowa City Swim Club and won a State Championship from Iowa City West where she graduated in 1987. She received a Bachelor's degree from St. Olaf College in Minnesota. Amy had a lifelong love of water and spent her best times at the beach, lake, ocean or pool.
Jeff and Amy met in October 2004, it was love at first sight, they were married three months later. They had a fantastic marriage. They never took their foot off the pedal. They would always say that they were still on their honeymoon. For over 20 years, Amy provided daycare so she could stay at home and raise their children. Amy began a career in 2019 as an Administrative Assistant at Revive Aesthetics in Cedar Rapids and loved her job and her co-workers.
Amy is survived by her loving husband, Jeff Hird of Mount Vernon and the couple's seven children, Claire Hird (26), Ryan Baker (24), Haley Baker (21), Connor Hird (21), Zach Baker (19), Jackson Hird (15), and Cooper Hird (14); her father, Dr. Ron Strauss and his special friend Cassandra Mariano; her in-laws; Bob and Cheryl Hird; her two sisters, Dawn Strauss and Heidi (Chad) Colony; her sisters-in-law; Jennifer (Vinay) Tikka, and Laura Dunn; and numerous beloved nieces and nephews. She was also very close to her former brother-in-law, Glenn Downs.
Amy always wanted to be a mom. She did an amazing job - not only raising her own kids but also her childrens' friends, whom she called 'The Fraternity'. Most kids refer to her as their 2nd Mom. Amy would always make everyone feel welcome; no one ever left her house hungry or unloved. As a mom she was always on the sidelines cheering the kids on at every one of their events, she was especially fond of basketball, football and wrestling. She was only 5' 3' but always dove in to help on college move-in day. Amy was the life of the party, she loved to dance and lived life to the fullest.
A memorial service to celebrate Amy's life will be held on Monday, October 5, 2020, at 2 pm at Antioch Christian Church located at 433 Cross Rd. Marion, Iowa. Everyone who cared about Amy is welcome to attend. Please bring your best memories of Amy. A GoFundMe page has been established. Arrangements are with Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Mount Vernon.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Photo Gallery
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
A Rose for “The Ames”. Thanks for 51 memorable years — way too brief. I was planning to love you for a much longer period of time! Love, Dad
Amy will be missed. Words cannot express our sympathy.
We are thinking of you.
My first and most revisited memories of Amy are mostly of the countless hours and miles we spent in the pool as teammates. She was easy to talk with, great to laugh with and a great motivator. She never told you how to improve (unless you asked) but she demonstrated through her hard work. Her humble nature, huge smile and goofy side always made two-a-days a little more bearable. Away from the pool she was just as sweet, fun and amazing. She carried a warmth in her spirit wherever she was. We only reconnected about a year ago through a good friend and had hoped to get together to share some of the last 30+ years in person. I deeply regret we didn’t make that happen. But to be able to chat in text makes the sting a little less deep. Thank you for the friendship, Amy.
Jeff, From the bottom of my heart, I’m very sorry for your loss. You & your family are in my thoughts & prayers.
Your family in Virginia is thinking of you during this difficult time.
Amy will always be remembered for her generous heart and actions. I am forever grateful that she took me in as one of her own while I was in school with Claire. Every holiday and birthday, she always made sure I was included, making Iowa my home away from home. I remember one time while they were taking potential Christmas photos at Palisades, she made sure that I was part of the photos too. And while they didn’t use that one for the card, I am so thankful for the thoughtful gestures Amy always made to make me feel like I was part of the family. She will be incredibly missed.
To the Hurd family… I am so sorry for your loss. I substitute teaching in MV and I have gotten to know Cooper and Jackson. Your loss is so harsh. I send prayers your way and my thoughts are with you. Kim Andresen
Wishing you peace to bring comfort, courage to face the days ahead and loving memories to forever hold in your hearts.
Attending the King and Country/ Skillet concert with Jeff and Amy. Skillet was loud, rocking and in your face entertainment. The meal before the concert after. The conversations in the church, lobby talking about the boys fishing trip and occasionally someone falling in the water if I remember correctly. Always a smile and friendly hello. She will be missed here, and we will anticipate the time when we all meet again.
Our warmest condolences. Amy was a very special person and we will greatly miss her.
I remember the first time I met Amy, Heritage Days, when we first moved to MV in 2013. She was so kind and welcoming to Mount Vernon. We were lucky enough to work on Post Prom Committee together last year. She never missed one of my meetings. Always there to lend a hand when I had no idea what I was doing. Thank you for your friendship, Amy. I will miss our chats at Gary’s, usually the produce isle. So sorry to Jeff, Zach, and the rest of the family. She was one of the nicest people I’ve ever met.
Jeff, I was so very surprised and saddened to read of Amy’s passing. My thoughts are with you in this difficult time. May your many memories bring you some peace. Wendy Buresh
Jeff, our heart breaks 💔 for you and the family. The news of Amy’s passing just has us so sad and can’t believe she is gone to soon. I remember the first time you told us you met a wonderful girl and you where going to marry her! When we first meet Amy it was like we had been friends for ever! It’s been years since we have seen you guys, but will always remember the good times we all had together when we lived in Lisbon and will always remember how kind hearted Amy always was to us and everyone! Our thoughts and prayers are with you Jeff and the family. Love, Dean & Lisa Hupp RIP AMY ❤️
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Jeff and Family, No words can tell how sorry we are to hear of Amy’s passing and the loss your feeling now.
We miss Amy so much. She was loved by all.
We were so sad to hear of Amy’s passing. May God comfort and bless you all!
Our family is deeply saddened at the sudden death of Amy. Our children swam with Amy on the Iowa City Swim Club and always looked up to her not only because she was a record setting swimmer, but more for her caring and friendly personality. Most of all, Amy had the most wonderful smile that radiated kindness to all those around her. Our sincerest sympathy to all of Amy’s family.
Jeff and family, we are so saddened to hear of Amy’s passing. We are so very sorry for your loss. Gone to soon. Such a kind and beautiful soul! We can only pray you find comfort in the days ahead cherishing all of the beautiful memories of her. -Gary & Linda Ellerbach
Amy will be greatly missed; she brought happiness to so many. Our deepest condolences.
Jeff, I’m so sorry to hear of the passing of Amy. She had the kindest soul of anyone I know. We are praying for you and your family. Gretchen & Shane Barske
Claire and family, you are in our thoughts. Sending you our prayers and love. Love from Michigan, Molly, Alex, Emily, Jen, Peach, Royce, and Quinn
Praying for Jeff and family to find strength and comfort at this difficult time. Cassandra
Jeff, I’m so sorry to hear about the news of your wife passing. I am praying for strength and comfort through this difficult time. Kevin Holst
I am saddened by the sudden passing of Amy. I have fond memories of her time as a member of the Iowa City Swim Club and West High Swim Team. She was determined and focused, but still loved to have fun, and was always friendly and thougtful of others. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time.
Dear Heidi, Dawn and Amy’s Family,
Words fail to express my sorrow for your loss of Amy. My heart goes out to all of you, especially Heidi and Dawn, since I had the privilege of being their German teacher to all three sisters. The joy Amy brought to our lives will not be forgotten.
Amy, du bist in liebvoller Erinnerung! Du warst immer ein Sonnenschein in der Deutschklasse. Immer wieder warst du unsere geliebte Amy,die uns ein Lächeln nach dem anderen Lächeln schenkte.
“Frau” Heidi Galer
Amy Hird was such a sweet person. She was always smiling, giggling, fun, and caring. She was so full of life and beautiful inside and out. We still can’t even believe she is gone. How this can even happen, I don’t know. She was a big part of our life. Playing euchre together, seeing her at our get-togethers, stopping by to visit and seeing her welcoming smile. Our hearts and prayers go out to all her children and her wonderful husband, Jeff. The world has lost an amazing person. All our love, Jason, Marcie, Maddy, and Jake Weber.
Amy was my best friend when I was a child. I have too many memories to share, it would be impossible to choose just one. When I see this candle, for example, I am reminded of a time when Amy and I were Blue Birds (campfire girls). Amy’s mom (Vivien) and my mom, (Carolyn), were our Blue Bird leaders. We were having a candle lighting ceremony which was supposed to be a right of passage, a solemn occasion, right? But for some reason, we were all standing in a circle and I started to smell the distinct smell of burning hair. My hair was on fire, Amy helped me put it out, we laughed and the ceremony continued. We laughed at so many things, shared so many memories. I loved Amy and I am going to cherish our childhood memories until I leave this earth as well.
Jackson and Cooper, I only knew your mom through you, and that you kept her busy. After hearing your grandfather’s stories about her as a child, I have a sense your are both your mother’s sons! I attached a few photos from the preschool memory books, the ones of you and your mom were from the Mother’s Day Tea. Thinking of you both and your family too, Mrs. Nowak
I met Amy a few times in college (years ago) and thought she was the sweetest and most fun girl.