Marguerite Dora Wirtz, 99, died on January 12, 2010 at the West Bend Care Center. She was born July 10, 1910 near West Bend, the daughter of Henry and Luna Sloan Montag.
Marguerite lived in the West Bend community her entire life and was a lifetime member of Sts. Peter and Paul's Catholic Church. She married Alfred Wirtz on January 24, 1933. Together they farmed 36 years before their reitrement and then enjoyed life in their comfortable home in West Bend.
Marguerite was a past member of the Ladies Aid Society and the CDA of the church. She volunteered for a number of years at the Care Center, helping with activities for the residents. She was a quilter. Family and friends received many of her hand crafted quilt and lap robes. She provided quilts which were raffled at the fall parish dinner for a number of years.
Survivors include her seven children and 18 grandchildren: Mel and Gretchen Wirtz and their daughters Chris, Laurie and Kari; Dorothy Wirtz McEnany and Larry and their children Terry, Patsy, Katie and Tom; Betsy Wirtz Rukavina and her son Jason; Bernie Wirtz Zimmer and John and their children John, Michael and Jennifer; Harry and DeeDee Wirtz and their sons David, Andrew and Brian; Don and Alyce Wirtz and their daughters Elisabeth and Erin; Ray and Pam Wirtz and their children Jeremy and Robbin, 25 great grandchildren, brothers Philip, Robert and Martin and sisters Dora, Florence and Rose.
Marguerite was preceded in death by her husband Alfred in 1989, grandson Patrick Zimmer, and Son-in-law Tony Rukavina, parents, 4 sisters and 6 brothers.
Our mother was an unfailing optimist, and her quick wit kept us smiling. She always told us how well she was cared for at the West Bend Care Center and liked our phone call visits more than anything. Her stories of her growing years and hard farm work, working alongside our Dad while taking wonderful care of 7 children, will long inspire us to do our part to honor her memory.
Funeral Services for Mrs. Wirtz will be held Saturday 1:30 PM at Sts. Peter and Paul's Cathlolic Church, West Bend with burial to follow in the West Bend Cemetery. Visitation is from 4:30-7:30 Pm Friday at the Harris Funeral Home in West Bend.