Wirth, Frank L. "Rusty" (1921 - 2013)

WIRTH, LUNDBY, HAMILTON, ARNOLD, GREER

Posted By: Denise Wurner (email)
Date: 5/8/2013 at 13:12:49

Submitted by Marthann Kohl, posted by permission

Source: The Harlan Tribune

Frank “Rusty” Wirth, 91
Oct. 15, 1921 - April 2, 2013

HARLAN –– Frank Lundby “Rusty” Wirth was born on October 15, 1921 in Harlan, to Frank and Martha (Lundby) Wirth. He attended and graduated from Harlan High School in 1939. He continued his education studying General Engineering at Iowa State College, Ames, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1943.

Frank was united in marriage to Beverly Jean Hamilton in Malvern. This union produced two sons, James and Joel. During World War II, Rusty worked for a government contract in Ohio regarding the manufacture of airplanes. He later worked for his father at Booth Motor Company in Harlan. Rusty owned and operated a furniture store in Ida Grove and also in Harlan and was a member of the Harlan Chamber of Commerce. As a part owner of Harlan Manufacturing he traveled in the Midwest states doing sales for both Harlan Manufacturing and it’s new owner, Jacobs Tool.

October 15, 1966, Frank married Lois E. (Arnold) Greer, and added two stepsons, Randy and Ronald Greer to his family. After retiring from Harlan Manufacturing in 1986, Frank and Lois traveled the United States, Canada, and Europe for son, James, promoting James’s Inn Suites Hotels. Rusty was a long time member of the Congregational United Church of Christ. His grandfather Wirth was a Congregational minister in the Congregational Church at Creston and Wilton Junction. For over 50 years, Frank was a member of Abu Bekr Shriners, Sioux City and Harlan Masonic Bodies: Parian Lodge 321, Olivet Chapter 107, and Mt. Zion Commandery 49. He was also a member of the Harlan Shrine Club for many years. A member of the Harlan Golf and Country Club since boyhood, Frank once served as president of that organization.

Having attained the age of ninety-one years, five months and sixteen days, Frank died on Tuesday, April 2, 2013.

Frank was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Martha. He is survived by his wife of forty-six years Lois Wirth of Harlan; sons James Wirth and his wife Gail of Paradise Valley, AZ, Joel Wirth and his wife Paula of Chandler, AZ, Randy Greer and his wife Geralyn of Harlan, and Ron Greer and his wife Connie of Bellevue, NE; twelve grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren; other family members and many friends.

Pastor Donna Ewert officiated the 10:30 a.m. funeral service on Saturday, April 6, 2013 at the Congregational United Church of Christ in Harlan. Honorary casket bearers were Harry Brensel, Todd Plumb, George Kintner, Fred and Verna Morford, Mary Lord, and Larry and Patti Miller. Serving as casket bearers were Jeremy Greer, Brett Greer, Brady Greer, Dylan Greer, Jeff Wirth, Casey Smith, Arlyn Arnold, and Dean Arnold. Interment was held at the Harlan Cemetery.