Please send your thoughts to the family by clicking on this link

Donald L. Wirtz

Donald L. Wirtz, 80, of Grand Island, NE, died Tuesday, May 15, 2007 at St. Francis Medical Center.

Services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday at the First Presbyterian Church in Grand Island.  The Reverend Cheryl Lamb will officiate.  Cremation will take place following the services with interment of the ashes in the church’s columbarium at a later date.

Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Thursday at All Faiths Funeral Home. 

Donald was born March 20, 1927 in St. Louis, MO the son of Oscar and Ida (Ebinger) Wirtz. He was raised and received his education in St. Louis graduating from Beaumont High School in 1946.  He graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1950. 

Donald was united in marriage to Marian Smallen on September 7, 1957 in St. Louis.  He worked for Swift Independent Packing Company starting in 1953.  He transferred to Holdrege, NE in 1966 and then transferred to Grand Island in 1968.  He worked for Swift for 27 years and Monfort for 11 years as a cattle buyer, retiring in 1991.

He is a member of First Presbyterian Church serving as trustee, deacon and elder.  He is also a member of the Central City Lone Tree Lodge No. 36 A.F. & A.M.  Donald was a Cub Master for Pack 105 at Dodge School and Scout Master for Troop 119 at First Presbyterian Church.  He earned his Wood Badge and was awarded the Silver Beaver Award, the highest adult award given in scouting.  He remained very active in scouting.  He enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, traveling, gardening and raising African violets. 

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife Marian, three sons and their spouses, Keith Wirtz of Lincoln, NE, Bryan and Martha Wirtz of Cascade, Idaho, Steve and Sherry Wirtz of Windsor, CO and grandchildren Brandon, Nathan, Justin, Mackenzie, Ashley and Jenna.

His parents and a sister Lorraine Habegger preceded him in death.

Memorials are suggested to Boy Scout Troop 119.