Fred J. "Bud" Wirtz

HELENA, Mont. – Fred J. "Bud" Wirtz, 72, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2009, at the Rocky Mountain Care Center.

He was born Sept. 3,1937, in Chicago, to Fred and Lillian Wirtz. He graduated from McHenry High School in McHenry in 1956.

After a 23-year career in the trucking industry, he changed gears and became a real estate broker with Century 21 Heritage Realty, and later worked for the Landmark Co. He earned numerous real estate awards thoughout his career. He also was a devoted member of the Helena Military Affairs Committee. His passion for our country and the armed services was unmatched.

He is survived by his mother, Lillian Wirtz; his brother, Michael Wirtz; a sister, Nikki Suratt; his mother-in-law, Dorothy Woertz; two daughters, Theresa Oilman and Martha Roeder; a son, Carter Wirtz; and two grandchildren, Joshua and Evan.

He was preceded in passing by his loving wife, Julia; his father, Fred Wirtz; and his brother, Richard Wirtz.

He touched many lives throughout his life and will be missed by all of them.

Chapel services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 29, at Hagler-Anderson Funeral Home. Private family interment will be in Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery in Belgrade.

Memorials may be sent in his name to the Lewis and Clark Humane Society, P.O. Box 4455, Helena, MT 59604 or to the Montana Military Museum, P.O. Box 125, Fort Harrison, MT 59636.