Leo N. Hirtz 1915-2008

HIRTZ, FITZPATRICK, OSTWINKLE, NAGY, TISCHHAUSER, PINO, DRYER, LINK, THARP, MCCARTHY, GROSS, CONNOLLY, DEVANEY, JOHNSON, MCCLAIN, HOERNER

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 4/22/2008 at 08:55:27

Leo N. Hirtz

BERNARD, Iowa -- Leo N. Hirtz, 92, of 3730 Pennsylvania Ave., Dubuque, formerly of Bernard, died at 12:55 a.m. Saturday, March 1, 2008, at Mercy Medical Center-Dubuque, following a brief illness.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 4, with the Rev. Douglas Loecke officiating at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Garryowen, Iowa, where Leo was a member for more than 80 years. As per Leo's request, his body will be deeded to the University of Iowa College of Medicine. Burial will be held at a later date. Friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m. today at Reiff Funeral Home, Cascade, where a wake service will be held at 4 p.m. and a Knights of Columbus rosary will be held at 7 p.m. Friends also may call after 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 4, at the funeral home.

He was born on July 25, 1915, in Cascade, son of Nicholas and Teresa Hirtz. He moved to the Bernard area at age four and lived there until moving to Dubuque in November 2007. On June 24, 1941, he was united in marriage to his loving wife, Luetta Fitzpatrick at St. Joseph's Church, Key West; she preceded him in death in 1987.

Leo owned and operated the M & H Company, a farm implement business, for 45 years. He and his wife Letty were musical entertainers in the Dubuqueland area, performing at many venues including the 12 Mile House, Shakeys, The Brothers Three and The Alte Glocke. Leo played the banjo and guitar and Letty played the piano. In later years, they shared their gift of music at many nursing homes in the area.

Leo was known internationally for his expertise in antique phonograph restoration and had an extensive collection himself.

He was a respected leader in the Bernard community and was a long-time member of the Knights of Columbus-Council 930 and a member of the 4th Degree Dubourg Assembly Council 1573.

Leo was very proud to have celebrated 58 years of sobriety supported by his many friends in the Alcoholics Anonymous organization.

Surviving are his daughters, Joan (Mark) Ostwinkle, of Maquoketa, Karen (John) Nagy, of Walcott, Janet (Wayne) Tischhauser, of West Des Moines, Mary Jo (Juan) Pino, of Coconut Creek, Fla., Rosanne Dryer, of Dubuque, Gail Hirtz, of North Liberty, and Kim (Charles) Link-Tharp, of Dubuque; 14 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; seven sisters, Loretta McCarthy, of Bernard, Veronica Gross and Mary Catherine Connolly, both of Cascade, Rosemary (Robert) Devaney, of Monticello, Betty Johnson, of Colorado, and Jean McClain and Sally (James) Hoerner, both of Dubuque; and a special friend, Anna Daniel.

He also was preceded in death by his daughter, Laurie Hirtz; a sister, Imelda; a brother, Earl; and sons-in-law, Gary Link and Roger Dryer.

Leo's family would like to express heartfelt thanks for the kindness and caring of family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, Dr. Stille and Mercy Medical Center-3 West staff, Hospice of Dubuque, especially, Kathy, Jenny and Bonnie, and the staff and residents at Sunset Park Place.

Copyright (c) Woodward Communications, Inc. 2008, All Rights Reserved. Dubuque Telegraph Herald, Monday, March 3, 2008