In Loving Memory
James E. "Jim" Wirtz
April 9, 1943 - August 20, 2023

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Emmetsburg Education Foundation to be used for
scholarships for deserving Emmetsburg High School students.

VISITATION
Sunday, September 3, 2023
4:00 - 7:00 P.M.
Martin-Mattice Funeral Home
Emmetsburg, Iowa

SERVICE
Monday, September 4, 2023
10:30 A.M.
First United Methodist Church
Emmetsburg, Iowa

CLERGY
Rev. Kolleen Queener

INURNMENT
Evergreen Cemetery
Emmetsburg, Iowa

James E. (Jim) Wirtz was born on April 9, 1943 in Rodman, Iowa, the son of Fred and Dolly (Sloan) Wirtz.
He received his grade school education at West Bend and moved to Mallard at the start of his
sophomore year. Jim graduated from Mallard High School in 1961. It was there, at the beginning of his
senior year, that Jim met the love of his life, Donna Hughes. They were married on September 19, 1964.
After attending Emmetsburg Junior College and Wayne State College, Jim was employed in the J.C.
Penney management program in Omaha before moving to Emmetsburg in May of 1965. He joined
Hughes Insurance which became Hughes, Brennan, and Wirtz Insurance in 1966. Jim retired from the
agency in January of 2018 after 52 years.

Jim was elected to the 64th General Assembly of the Iowa Legislature in 1970 at the age of 27. As a
freshman legislator, he served on the Commerce Committee, the Conservation Committee, and the Law
Enforcement Committee. He was an active member of the state association of the Independent
Insurance Agents of Iowa and served as the president of the organization in 1993 to 1994. One of his
proudest moments was when his son and business partner, Scott, served as the president 29 years later.
Jim was also active in community affairs and was involved in the Emmetsburg Chamber of Commerce,
the Kiwanis, and the Emmetsburg Jaycees. He was in several productions at Mainstreet Community
Theater. Jim was a founding member of the Emmetsburg Education Foundation and remained a part of
this organization for 25 years.

Jim had a personality that was bigger than life and he never met a stranger. He had a quick wit and a
strong sense of humor and would often be ready with a joke or funny story to share. Jim surrounded
himself with fun and he made sure that those who were with him had fun too. He read about and
shared the history of Palo Alto County and appreciated friendly banter about politics and current events.
Jim enjoyed life.

Jim was a devoted family man and was exceptionally proud of his children. He was an interested and
involved grandfather, often attending the events of his 9 grandchildren and calling to get updates about
their work and school. He was delighted by their achievements.

Jim passed away on August 20, 2023. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters and brothers-
in-law, Jean and Roy Reeves and Mary and Duane Hanson, his brother, Al Wirtz, son-in-law Mark
Lindgren, and in-laws Cliff and Jeanette Hughes. Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 59 years,
Donna, his daughters Nancy Lindgren of Stanton, Iowa; and Jill (B.J.) Schany of Emmetsburg, Iowa; his
son, Scott (Heather) of Emmetsburg, Iowa; and grandsons Jake (Sadie) Lindgren and Sam Lindgren of
Stanton, Iowa, Will Schany and Nick Schany of West Des Moines, Iowa; Bradley, Matt, Justin and Ryan
Wirtz and granddaughter Abbie Schany of Emmetsburg, Iowa;  his sister and brother-in-law Jane and John Hartman of Cedar Falls, Iowa; sister-in-law, Eileen Wirtz of Carroll, Iowa, and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Steve and Patty Hughes of Fort Collins, Colorado.

Arrangements by Martin-Mattice Funeral Home