Aloysius “Al” Arnold Wirtz

Obituary

Aloysius “Al”Arnold Wirtz was born on December 7, 1932, in McLeod County, Minnesota. He was the son of Frances and Barbara (Gehlen) Wirtz. Al was baptized as an infant at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Glencoe, Minnesota, and later was confirmed in his faith as a youth at Assumption Church in Norwood Young America, Minnesota. He received his education at Central High School in Norwood Young America, Minnesota, graduating with the class of 1951. Al entered active military service in the United States Army on March 24, 1953, during the Korean conflict. He received an Honorable Discharge on January 24, 1955.

On June, 23 1959, Al was united in marriage to Marlene Urban at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Silver Lake, Minnesota. Al and Marlene made their home on his parent’s farm in Norwood, and then moved to Glencoe, 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. Al and Marlene shared over 58 years of marriage.

Al 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 ‘70’s. With 28 of those years working for Klingelhutz Construction in Chaska.

Al also enjoyed fishing, traveling and building many things out of wood. He was considered a handyman and could fix just about anything. Al also treasured the time spent with his family and friends.

Al was an active member of church in many ways including singing in the choir at St. Peter and Paul Church or helping with the various parish fundraisers at the churches in Glencoe, Chaska and Norwood Young America. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Al passed away on Sunday, April 22, 2018, at Ridgeview Sibley Medical Center in Arlington, Minnesota, at the age of 85 years, 4 months and 15 days.

Blessed be his memory.

Al is survived by his:
Wife, Marlene Wirtz of Norwood Young America, MN;
Children, Diane Weckman and her husband, Joseph, of Hamburg, MN,
                  Marie Groeneveld and her husband, Lance, of Waconia, MN;
Grandchildren, Mike Weckman and his fiancée, Missy,
                             Julie Weckman,
                             Nicole Groeneveld,
                             Kayla Groeneveld,
                             Eric Groeneveld;
Sisters, Margaret Koester of Glencoe, MN,
               Helen Nicklaus of Waconia, MN;
Nieces, Nephews, Other relatives and friends.

Al is preceded in death by his Parents, Frances and Barbara Wirtz; Son, Robert Wirtz; Brother, Matt Wirtz.