Mary Wurtz

Mary Joanne Wurtz, lovingly known to all as Joanne, peacefully passed away on Saturday, May 23, 2015, at Comforts of Home in Menomonie, Wisconsin. She was 77. Joanne was born Sept. 24, 1937, in Las Vegas, N.M. to George Reddy and Margaret Homan Reddy. She grew up in Las Vegas and St. Mary's, Kan. She completed Registered Nurse training at St. Mary's College, Leavenworth, Kan. in 1958. Joanne proudly served as vice president of her nursing class. She enjoyed a long and rich relationship with classmates, attending reunions and maintaining correspondence for years. Joanne worked as an RN at the VA Hospital in Independence, Mo. before marrying Paul Roberts Wurtz (Bob) Jan. 31, 1959, at Immaculate Conception Church in St. Mary's. Joanne continued her nursing career until starting a family and eventually moving to Menomonie in 1965. Throughout her life, Joanne remained an active member of St. Joseph's Parish. She enjoyed reading, Scrabble, traveling, music, Bridge and frequently delighted family members with her many sketches and paintings. She will always be treasured for her kindness, her lively sense of humor, creativity, and timely wit. Her gift of song and rhyme will continue to bring joy to her children and grandchildren for generations to come. Joanne is survived by her husband, Bob Wurtz; 10 children, Chris Wurtz, Colette (Richard) Bresnahan, Anne M. Parks, Bob (Paige) Wurtz, Jill-Marie Reinsch, Maria (Murray) Wurtz, Paul Wurtz, Beth (Bob) Bianchi-Rossi, Jessica (Kevin) Ramsay, and Tim Wurtz. Joanne is also loved and treasured by her 22 grandchildren, including Richard, Margaret, and Sarah Bresnahan; Emily, Elise, Sylvie, and Eva Parks; Reid and Chloe Wurtz; Madeline, Cassondra, and Sophia Reinsch; Christopher Wurtz and Mackenzie Yagilashek; PJ and Raina Bundy-Wurtz; Alicia, Mario, Alesondra, Bianca, and Angela Bianchi-Rossi; Alivia Ramsay; and four great-grandchildren, Sage & Marlo Bianchi-Rossi, and Leo and Giuliana Place. Joanne's surviving siblings include Bob (Betty) Reddy, Mike (Kathy) Reddy, and Peggy (Mike) Livingston. She was preceded in death by her loving mother, father, and unborn twin sister. Inurnment graveside services will be at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, September 26, 2015 at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in St. Marys.