| Sources |
- [S25] 1930 US Federal Census, (www.ancestry.com).
CENSUS: 1930:
Name: John Wirtz Age: 7 Estimated birth year: abt 1923 Relation to head-of-house: Son Father's Name: Steve Wirtz Mother's Name: Elizabeth Wirtz Home in 1930: Mandan, Morton, North Dakota
- [S927] Obituary.
John Wirtz, 92, passed away on Feb. 10, 2016, at Marian Manor, Glen Ullin, surrounded by his family. Interment will take place at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16, at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan.
Visitation will begin at 3 p.m. Monday at Buehler-Larson Funeral Home, Mandan, with a remembrance service beginning at 4 p.m.
John was born on June 3, 1923, in Mandan, to Steve and Elizabeth (Bobb) Wirtz. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on March 12, 1943, and served as a platoon sergeant in the Pacific Theater during World War II. He was assigned to Company E-32 Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Division and was engaged in battles on the islands of Kwajalein, Leyte, Luzon, and Okinawa where he received the Expert Infantryman Badge, Purple Heart, and the Bronze Star medal for heroic action on Skyline Ridge. Though severely wounded at the end of fighting on Okinawa, he refused to be sent stateside and instead traveled with his Division to Korea to help with the disarmament of the Japanese forces located there.
John married Colleen (Hermanson) Wirtz on Aug. 12, 1947, and together they raised two sons, Wayne and Tom, in their home in Mandan. John worked for the Montana Dakota Utilities company for 37 years, retiring from his position as Superintendent of MDU's R.M.Heskett Electric Generation Station, located North of Mandan, in January 1985.
John loved to hunt, fish, garden, travel and spend time visiting with friends and family. He was a very generous man and was often helping others with general fix-it, electrical or automotive problems. Next to his love for his wife, Colleen, his greatest joys in life were his sons, grandson, and three great-grandchildren. He was always quick to share stories of their accomplishments and to show off their pictures, as he beamed with pride.
He is survived by his two sons, Dr. Wayne Wirtz and his partner, Richard (Topps), Chicago; Tom Wirtz and his wife, Lupe (Godoy), Bismarck; his grandson, Stephen Wirtz and his wife, Katie (Dinneen) and their children, Nora, Callum and Declan, Bismarck; along with many special nieces, nephews, and extended family members from both the Wirtz and Hermanson sides of the family. John's memory will live on in all of their hearts.
John was preceded in death by his parents, Steve and Elizabeth; his sister, Virginia Ohm; his brother, Clem; and his wife, Colleen (Hermanson) Wirtz.
Memorials are preferred to March of Dimes or St. Judes Children's Hospital.
Please go to www.BuehlerLarson.com to share memories of John.
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1923 - 2016 (92 years)
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