Elmer Girtz

Elmer J. Girtz, 89 year old resident of Little Falls, MN formerly of Buckman, MN, passed away Sunday, (February 25, 2007) at St. Otto’s Care Center in Little Falls, MN. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday at 11:30 A.M. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Little Falls, MN with Father Nicholas Landsberger officiating. Friends may call from 4:00 to 8:00 on Thursday at the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls and Friday from 10:30 to 11:30 at the Shelley Funeral Chapel . Christian Mothers will pray a rosary at 5:00 P.M and parish prayers at 6:00 P.M. Memorials preferred to St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Elmer was born on May 13th, 1917 in Buckman, MN to the late William Girtz, Sr. and Anna (Kobilka) Girtz. He attended school until 8th grade and worked on the family farm with his brothers and sisters. He entered military service in September of 1942 and served our country as a Military Police Officer in Los Angeles, CA, and in Oran, Algeria (North Africa). He received the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Service Medal. He was honorably discharged on February 18th, 1946. He returned to Minnesota and married his long-time sweetheart, Mathilda M. Preimesberger, on November 27th, 1948 in Pierz and moved to Little Falls shortly thereafter. During his marriage he was the proud father 5 children and a tender, loving husband to his wife of 59 years. He worked hard and diligently at his many jobs, including Lik-Nu Cleaners, Hennepin Paper Company, Montgomery Wards, and dozens of local businesses in Little Falls. After retiring from these ‘regular’ jobs he enjoyed his time going to garage sales and salvaging hand and yard tools, gadgets, and bicycles and tricycles. In his retirement he affectionately was known as the neighborhood ‘Bike Man’, providing many local children and adults with their wheels. He was also the host of many garage sales that were looked forward to by everyone in the local neighborhood. Employers will remember him as an expert maintenance person who cleaned, repaired, and left his indelible mark of pride on the businesses he worked at. Co-workers will remember Elmer for his work ethic, attention to detail, and his integrity for always going above and beyond the call of his job. Friends will remember him as a patient, dedicated, and industrious man who could make old things new again. And his family will remember him for being a wise, kind, and loving husband, father, and grandfather who knew how to open a door for his wife, kiss her whenever he left to go anywhere, who knew how to let his children become who they were meant to be by giving them freedom and encouragement to learn, and knew how to love his grandchildren by sharing precious time with them. He was a lifelong member of St. Mary’s Church and was a faithful, devoted, and dedicated follower of the lord. He will forever be admired and greatly missed. Elmer is survived by his wife, Mathilda; sons Bob (Marilyn), Little Falls; Gordy (Andrea), Shoreview; Dave (Susan Holley), Sauk Rapids; Paul, Steamboat Springs, CO; and Daughter Mary (Stan) Juber, Groton, CT, as well as 9 grandchildren: Emily (David) Crilly, Little Falls; Robbie Girtz, Little Falls; Christian Girtz, Minneapolis; Ann Marie Girtz, Grand Forks, ND; Allison (Daniel) Antoine, Millbank, IA; Jill Girtz, Grand Rapids, MI; Stephen Girtz, Sauk Rapids, and Samantha and Bethany Juber, Groton, CT. Elmer is preced in death by his wonderful parents William, Sr. and Anna; sister, Bernice (Sauer) and brother, Markus (Stub) Girtz. Memorials are preferred to St. Mary’s Catholic Church or St. Otto’s Care Center.

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Elmer Girtz

May 13, 1917 - February 25, 2007