Obit: Wirtz, Arnold A. “Arne” (1937 – 2020)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Wirtz, Ritta, Hertel, Motion, Cook, Geldernick, Mueller, Wolford, Brown

Source: Tribune/Record/Gleaner (Abbotsford, WI) 01 Apr 2010

Wirtz, Arnold A. “Arne” (8 JUN 1937 – 24 MAR 2020)

Arnold A. “Arne” Wirtz, 82, Loyal, peacefully passed away at his home on Tuesday, March 24, 2020, surrounded by his loving family. A celebration of Arne’s life will be held at a later date.

Arnold Arthur Wirtz was born on June 8, 1937, in Waukegan, Ill., to William C. and Alice M. (nee Ritta) Wirtz. He was raised on his family’s farm near Volo, Ill. He received his education in the Volo area, and graduated from Wauconda High School in Wauconda, Ill. in 1955. He was united in marriage to Sharon L. Hertel on June 28, 1958, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Fremont Center, Ill. They farmed until 1959, when Arne began working for and operating his cousin Arthur Wirtz’ country estate, who was the owner of the NHL Chicago Blackhawks hockey team. His wife, Sharon, died on Sept. 27, 1972. Arne married Ruth A. Motion on Feb. 14, 1974, at the Ivanhoe Congregational Church in Ivanhoe, Ill. He continued working for his cousin until 1979, when they purchased a farm southwest of Loyal. They farmed until 2000, at which time they sold the farm and moved into Loyal. Arne resided in Loyal until the time of his death. He was a member of the York Center United Methodist Church, the Loyal FFA Alumni, and was a past president of the Illinois Yorkshire Association. Arne had many interests, but especially loved spending time with his family and friends, farming, bowling, pitching horseshoes, and playing softball. He was very involved with high school FFA and 4-H.

He will be dearly missed by his wife, Ruth, of Loyal; two daughters: Valerie Cook of Waukegan, Ill., and Sharon Lee Geldernick of Dorchester; one son: Kenneth (Sharon) Wirtz of Kenosha; his step-children: Ron (Tammi) Motion of Loyal, and Lenora “Lin” (Joe) Mueller of Colby; one son-in-law: Charles Wolford of Albuquerque, N.M.; 16 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; one brother: Jack (Lilly) Wirtz of Hanover, Ill.; one sister-in-law: Audrey Wirtz of Lena, Ill.; and nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Arne was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Sharon; two daughters: Barbara Jean Wirtz, in infancy, on Dec. 2, 1964, and Julie Wolford on Feb. 17, 2020; one brother: Marvin Wirtz; one sister: Marion Brown; and one brother-in-law: Phil Brown.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.cuddiefh.com. 

Cuddie Funeral Home, Loyal, is assisting the family with arrangements.