Donald F. Wirt
Donald F. Wirt, 92, formerly of Lake Mills, passed away Thursday, March 11, 2021 at Good Samaritan Society Care Center, Albert Lea, Minn. A private graveside service for family members will be held Wednesday, March 24. Don served for several years on the Salem Cemetery Board. Memorial donations may be made to the Salem Cemetery Fund in Don’s honor.
Don was born in Lake Benton, Minn., March 24, 1928, the son of Ross and Helen (Watson) Wirt. He grew up in Tyler, Minn., and graduated from Tyler High School in 1946.
Don served in the United States Army, stationed in Japan from 1946-1948.
He married his high school sweetheart Irma Johanna Marie Bruchmann, March 6, 1949. Irma preceded him in death Dec. 3, 1991.
Don worked as an electrician and lineman, bringing electricity to the rural areas of western Minnesota and South Dakota before taking a job as light plant superintendent in Coggan. The Wirt family relocated from Coggon to Lake Mills, in 1966, where Don proudly served as the city Utilities Director until his retirement in 1990.
Don is survived by his children: Charles, Des Moines; Richard and his wife, Kathy, Lake Mills; John, Welch, Minn.; James and his wife, Kathleen, Spring Green, Wis.; Robert and his wife, Deb, New Prague, Minn.; and Christine Pratt and her husband, John, Kenosha, Wis.; 14 grandchildren: Sara, Charles, Kathie, Tony, Jena, Jara, Max, Tim, Tamara, Ben, Randie, Joe, Dan, Cara; 19 great-grandchildren: Isaac, Parker, Landon, Logan, Danika, Claire, Paige, Kaia, Silje, Penelope, Joey, Mason, Connor, Alex, Ellie, Kirby, Aaliyah, Rowen, and Hazel; brother, Richard (Mary); sister, Marjorie (John) Bryan; sisters-in-law: Elfriede Petersen, Elisabeth Seibert, Joy Gannon, and Donna Wirt; many nephews and nieces, including a very special niece and loving caregiver, Willie Skellenger and her husband, Alan.
Don was preceded in death by his wife, Irma; his sister, Nathelle Petersen; brothers: Curtis and Daryl; brothers-in-law: Fred Bruchmann, Larry Petersen, Richard Bryan, Don Petersen, Larry Miller, James Spoerl, Mike Gannon; and sisters-in-law: Colleen Wirt, Lilian Wirt, and Wilma Bruchmann.
