Aloysius ‘Al’ Arnold Wirtz, 85, NYA
Aloysius “Al” Arnold Wirtz, 85, of Norwood Young America, died Sunday, April 22, 2018, at Ridgeview Sibley Medical Center in Arlington.
Mass of Christian Burial was held Friday, April 27, at Church of the Ascension in Norwood Young America with the Rev. Gregory Abbott officiating. Marilee Widmer was the organist. Musical selections were “Be Not Afraid,” “Morning Has Broken,” “Prayer of St. Francis” and “On Eagle’s Wings.”
Casket bearers were Gary Koester, Russell Koester, Ronald Koester, Michael Nicklaus, Matt Nicklaus and Shawn Wirtz. Military honors were by Norwood American Legion Post 343. Interment was in the church cemetery.
Aloysius “Al” Arnold Wirtz was born Dec. 7, 1932, in McLeod County, the son of Frances and Barbara (Gehlen) Wirtz. He was baptized as an infant at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Glencoe, and was confirmed in his faith as a youth at Assumption Church in Norwood Young America. He received his education in Norwood Young America, graduating with the class of 1951. He entered active military service in the U.S. Army on March 24, 1953, during the Korean Conflict. He received an honorable discharge on Jan. 24, 1955.
On June 23, 1959, he was united in marriage to Marlene Urban at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Silver Lake. They made their home on his parents’ farm in Norwood, then moved to Glencoe and Chaska and, in 1994, returned to Norwood Young America. In 2016, they moved to The Haven in Norwood Young America. Their marriage was blessed with three children, Diane, Robert and Marie. They shared over 58 years of marriage.
Mr. Wirtz spent many years working on the family farm, which he truly enjoyed. He also worked for Green Giant in Glencoe and then found his second love, carpentry, in the early 1970s. He worked 28 years for Klingelhutz Construction in Chaska.
Mr. Wirtz also enjoyed fishing, traveling and building many things out of wood. He was considered a handyman and could fix just about anything. He also treasured the time spent with family and friends.
He was an active member of the church in many ways, including singing in the choir at St. Peter and Paul Church or helping with various parish fundraisers at the churches in Glencoe, Chaska and Norwood Young America. He also was a member of the Knights of Columbus.
He is survived by his wife, Marlene Wirtz of Norwood Young America; children, Diane (Joseph) Weckman of Hamburg and Marie (Lance) Groeneveld of Waconia; grandchildren, Mike Weckman (fiancée Missy), Julie Weckman, Nicole Groeneveld, Kayla Groeneveld and Eric Groeneveld; sisters, Margaret Koester of Glencoe and Helen Nicklaus of Waconia; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Frances and Barbara Wirtz; son, Robert Wirtz; and brother, Matt Wirtz.
Arrangements were with the Paul-McBride Funeral Chapel in Norwood Young America. Online obituaries and guest book are available at www.mcbridechapel.com.
