Vicki Ann Hirtreiter, 61, Park Falls

Vicki Ann Hirtreiter passed from her earthly body at her home on November 24, 2025. Although
physically aged 61, she would insist that mentally, she remained forever young. She was born
on March 24, 1964 to Frederick and Margaret (Golomb) Hirtreiter.
On January 16, 1984 Vicki welcomed her first child, Trista; on February 1, 1988 her son Joseph;
and on January 2, 1993 her daughter Shelbi. She married Steven Allen Rusnak October 23,

1993. Although they later divorced, they remained close friends and continued to care for one
      another throughout their lives.
      As a single mother, Vicki was a tireless provider. She taught her children to stand up for what
      they believed in, to fearlessly pursue the unknown, and to believe everything matters, no matter
      how small it may seem. She instilled resilience in them to never give up. And if her kids needed
      her, she was there, no matter the circumstances.
      Vicki earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from Southern New Hampshire
      University in 2011. She was a lifelong caregiver, working as a Certified Nursing Assistant,
      offering compassionate support to countless individuals. A few months prior to her passing,
      Vicki had decided she wanted to go back to school to pursue a career in the criminal justice
      field. Vicki was excited about furthering her education and homing in on a path she was
      passionate about.
      Vicki was a beautiful soul – fiercely authentic, unapologetically honest, and deeply loyal. If
      someone disliked her, it was likely because she refused to sugarcoat the truths they didn’t want
      to hear. She stood firmly for truth and justice, never backing down, even if the odds were
      against her.
      Life knocked Vicki down more times than most people know. Yet she rose each time, shaking
      off the dust, flipping the bird, more resolute than ever to achieve what she had set out to
      accomplish. Though her body was often in pain, she pushed forward with grit and humor.
      Vicki’s family and friends assumed she would outlive them, surviving purely out of spite.
      Her heart was a sanctuary for the unwanted, the broken, the overlooked, and anyone who felt
      they were beyond redemption. Anyone in need would find an open door and an overhead roof,
      even though her generosity was taken advantage of many times. She saw goodness where
      others turned away and truly lived by the philosophy of “Only God can judge me” and “Let go, let
      God”.
      Vicki could appear intimidating if necessary- she proudly owned her notorious resting face. But
      for family and friends, she was endlessly generous, loyal, and willing to stand with them through
      any trials or tribulations. If she loved you, she loved you with her whole heart and would move
      Heaven and earth for you. Her vibrant, eccentric personality was reserved for only those lucky
      enough to be in her inner circle.
      Vicki had a profound love for animals, especially her dogs – her “peo -poops”. They were never
      “pets”, they were her babies. Her biggest dream was to open a no-kill animal shelter and serve
      as a voice for all animals in need. She wanted every creature to know it mattered.
      On the whimsical side, she loved cotton candy, French vanilla cappuccino, Johnny Depp,
      rainbows, the color purple, and above all – Unicorns.

Vicki is survived by her mother, Marge Golomb; her children Trista Golomb, Joseph (Jenny)
Voda, and Shelbi (Julian) Routheaux; her eight grandchildren: Justis, Caleb, Guinevere, Beatrix,
Owen, Xavier, Phillip, and Bentley; her brother Josh (Stephanie) Hirtreiter, two nephews, Rufus
(her last remaining peo-poop) and numerous other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her father Frederick Hirtreiter, her life partner Steve Rusnak, and
many of her beloved fur-babies, including Poof, Shadow, Skosh, Mia, Oliver and Kire.
A private service will be held at a later date when Vicki’s cremated remains will be scattered
according to her wishes.
Birch Street Funeral Service is assisting the family.