Richard L. Wirth

Richard Lorin Wirth, 83, of Chippewa Falls, passed away on July 19, 2024, at Our House Assisted Living in Chippewa Falls, after a long struggle with Parkinson’s, CHF, and kidney disease.

Richard was born on August 8, 1940, to Lorin and Eleanor (Hintzman) Wirth in Menomonie, WI. As a child, his family moved to a farm north of Prairie Farm where he attended Brean County School and Prairie Farm High School. 

On June 16, 1962, he married Janice Hanson. They enjoyed camping and many bus trips across the U.S. and Canada. In 1961 he began a career at Roberts Wholesale, Food Service of America and retired from Indianhead Foods in 2007.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents; in-laws, Harold and Bernice Hanson; siblings, Carol (LeRoy) Whitman, DeWayne Wirth, and Gerald Wirth; brother-in-law, Roger (Nancy) Hanson; granddaughter, Chelsea Whelan and her father, Glenn Whelan; as well as aunts, uncles, many cousins, and friends.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Janice; son, Terry (Jeanna) Wirth; daughter, Lynda Whelan, both of Chippewa Falls; brother, Victor (Jean) Wirth of New Richmond; sister-in-law, Sally Wirth of Clear Lake; grandchildren, Andrew (Courtney and daughter, Elena) Whelan, and Taylor (Caroline) Henke, both of Milwaukee, Jessica (Lou) Vanderbeek of Arizona, Ashley (Travis) Pierce of Chetek, and Hannah (Pat) Cole of Bloomer; great-grandchildren, Brett, Akeelah, Kolton, Kylie, Braden, Hadley, Ellisia, Reagan, Payton, Raelynn, Casen, and Ember.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, July 29 at Faith Lutheran Church, 733 Woodward Ave., Chippewa Falls with Rev. Daniel Wonderly officiating. Interment will be at Prairie View Cemetery in the village of Lake Hallie. 

Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. Monday at the church.

Memorials are preferred to Faith Lutheran Church, St. Jude’s, or the Parkinson’s Foundation.