Fern D. (Mack) Wirtz, 83

Fern D. (Mack) Wirtz, a longtime resident of Kalispell, "went to be with the Lord" on Sunday, July 19, 2009, at the Missouri River Nursing Home in Fort Benton after seven years of complications of Parkinson's disease. Cremation has taken place under the direction of Croxford Funeral Home. No services will be held at this time; however, a gathering for friends and family will be held in Kalispell, date and time to be announced and published later. This will be a celebration of her life with her husband of almost 69 years. A tentative date is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 19.

Fern was born Aug. 28, 1925, in Dooley, to Peter D. and Lenora (Freeman) Mack.

Fern married Hubert H. Wirtz on Sept. 27, 1941, in Kalispell.

Fern was a homemaker and worked for a number of years at the Flathead High School cafeteria. She enjoyed working in her yard and gardens and especially loved being with her husband and family at family gatherings and camping trips. She was also an avid country music admirer and loved to play her piano and accordion.

Fern was preceded in death by her parents, Pete and Lenora Mack; brothers, William J. Mack, Chester H. Mack, Wallace Mack, and Robert L. Mack; and sisters, Evelyn F. Mack, Phyllis Mack, Dorothy Eleanor Mack Brewster, Eunice Catherine Mack Knick, Lucille Mack, Olive Faith Mack Reed, and Frances May Mack Ward.

Fern is survived by her husband, Hubert H. Wirtz, of Fort Benton; daughters, Dee and Tim Dennison of Seeley Lake, and Gerry and Ron Jovanovich of Fort Benton; grandchildren, Michael and Ginger Jovanovich of Tulsa, Okla., Troy and Tina Dennison of Missoula, Tina Jovanovich and Kate Wiebe of Wells, Maine, and Tracy and Doug Schmitt of Aurora, Ill.; great-grandchildren, Taylor Renae and Savanna Grace Jovanovich; Austin Michael, Sierra Marie, and Elizabeth Shae Dennison; Sarah and Erin Wiebe; and Kylie May and Kaitlyn Marie Schmitt; and many nieces and nephews.

Memorials in her name are suggested to the Florence Dedman Animal Shelter Foundation in Fort Benton, MT 59442; or Paws Up Safe Home for Animals in Seeley Lake, MT 59868.