Robert W. Wirth

Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and devoted friend, Robert “Bob” Wirth entered eternal life on Feb. 25, 2024, at the age of 91.

He was born Oct 2, 1932, to Robert and Beatrice (Marcks) Wirth.  Bob lived a majority of his childhood in Shiocton and then the family moved to Hortonville where they had a family farm.  He was active in sports at Hortonville High School, representing his class as the captain of the basketball and football team for the Polar Bears!!  He was drafted into the Army and was stationed at Fort Lewis in Tacoma, Washington.

Bob married Marlene M. Wirth (Rollmann) at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Appleton, WI on March 2, 1957. 

He was employed at Kimberly Clark for 7 years and then at Rockwell International/ArvinMeritor in Oshkosh, WI, for 30 years and then retired.   Bob also worked part-time at his “hobby” job at Butch’s Auto Body for 23 years, where he loved spending time with his “shop buddies” throughout the years.

He was hardworking, always….always had a project to get done and was known as the Jack of All Trades BUT most of all he was always willing to give anyone a helping hand and expected nothing in return.   Being surrounded by his children was truly his joy in life, he held a deep pride for each and every one of them and found many ways to support them throughout their journey in life.

As Bob and Marlene began their life together raising five children, they were fortunate to expand on their American Dream and purchased a cottage on Silver Lake in Laona, WI along with special friends Salty and Jo Altman & family.  For many, it was known as Marshmallow Hill where they always welcomed family and friends to gather and hang out at the lake, enjoy boat rides, water skiing, singing around the campfire, and the opportunity to participate in the many 4^th of July parades and celebrations.  The memories and laughs shared are endless……E-I-E-I-E-I-O!!

Bob enjoyed the outdoors, some of which included his yearly deer hunts with his mighty deer hunting crew Dilly, Salty, and Bert as well as his three sons, Altman sons, and their extended friend groups, as well as his youngest daughter Kelli.  Bob also liked snowmobiling with his wife, family, and friends for many years.  After retirement they joined the Omro Snowmobile Club and participated in various trail rides, they also hosted the club with many good times on the 100 Mile Trails in Forest County.

Bob is survived by his wife Marlene (67 years) Appleton; their five children: his two daughters Barb (Dave) Lehman, Appleton, WI, Kelli (Willie) Sims, Wrightstown, WI and three sons, John (Gail) Wirth, Miledgeville, GA, Mark Wirth, Laona, WI, Ricky (Lisa) Wirth, Hortonville, WI.  Sister Karen Young, sister-in-law Rita Wirth, brother/sister-In-laws; Jan Crowley, Lynn Rollmann, Donna Rollmann, Dick Rollmann, Kathy (John) Beatty, Judy (Jim) Carmack, Lori (Bill) Wallschlaeger. 

There are 15 Grandchildren, Jess (Matt) Roe, Josh (Lyndsey) Lehman, Drew Lehman (Jordan Schmidt), Matthew Wirth, Lucas (Jayden) Wirth, James (Skylar Cromie) Wirth, Cal Wirth, Trevor Wirth, Dylan Wirth, Kimberly (Jason) Kloehn, Megan Wirth (Thomas Johnson), Wyatt Sims, Matthew (Haleigh) Wimberger.  As well as 7 great grandchildren, Nicholas Wirth, Madelynn Roe, Carson Roe, Gideon Roe, Elizabeth Wirth, Patrick Wirth, Colby Wimberger, and two on the way - baby boy Lehman due in March, and baby Wimberger in September. 

He is preceded in death by his parents Robert Wirth Sr., Beatrice (Marcks) Wirth, brother Terry Wirth, sister Beverly Hunt, brothers-in-law Jerry Rollmann & Bob Rollmann, David Hunt, and Dennis Young, and sister-in-law Joanne Carew.

We would like to express our deepest thank you to Barb and Dave Lehman for many months of care in their home, as well as the support of the Town of Center EMS Team, and the Aseracare Hospice Services.

We will gather at Wichmann Tri-County Chapel, 1592 S Oneida Street on Saturday, March 9th, at 11:00 am; family and friends can visit from 9:00 am until the time of service. Please plan to join us for a  celebration of life following the service at the Stone Toad, 1109 Oneida Street, Menasha . We will celebrate Bob with good food and some of Bob's favorite country music...there may even be a few of us to sing to all those Marshmallow Hiller's up in Heaven!!