Edward F. Wirkus

Ed Wirkus, 97, Edgar, died July 13, 2015. He was born July 10, 1918 in the town of Frankfort, son of the late Frank and Rose (Goldbach) Wirkus. On June 5, 1948 he married Clara Mroczenski at Holy Family Catholic Church, Poniatowski. She preceded him in death on September 6, 2010. Ed was a devout Catholic who prayed the rosary and attended Mass daily. Ed proudly served his country in the Army from 1941 - 1945 during World War II and was awarded the Bronze Star while stationed in the South Pacific. Ed had the privilege to participate in the Honor Flight in 2011 which was one of the highlights of his life. In his younger years he worked in Chicago and following his military service he co-owned and operated Wirkus IGA in Edgar where he was the meat cutter. Some of his hobbies included fishing, traveling and spending time up North. He also enjoyed gardening, doing yard work and cheering on the Green Bay Packers. His family will always remember him as a wise, caring, generous family man with a loving heart and wonderful sense of humor who was always ready to entertain by sharing a joke or two. He taught us the meaning of integrity and hard work and will be dearly missed by his three children and their families, Dale (Marvita), Jean, and Lynn (Jerry) Strasser; grandsons, Ben, Sam, Ryan and Jeffrey who were his pride and joy. He is further survived by siblings, Jerry, Mel and Lawrence (Joan) Wirkus; sisters-in-law, Adeline Houf, Theresa (Don) Torner and Patsy Mroczenski; brother-in law, Ed Mroczenski and many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents and beloved wife, Clara, he was preceded in death by siblings, infant George, Dave and Philip Wirkus, Joanne Pettinger, Marge White, Till Reed, Bernadine Wirkus and Vanie Wilichowski. The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Friday, July 17, 2015 at St. John Catholic Church, Edgar. Rev. Thomas Huff will preside. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Friends may call Friday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of services all at St. John Catholic Church, Edgar. Special thanks to Dr. Bhushan and the PCU staff at Saint Clare's Hospital for their wonderful care and compassion. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Edgar, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com