Ernest Michael Wirth

Ernest M. Wirth, 93 of Devils Lake formerly of Calio, ND died on Tuesday, June 14, 2005 at the Good Samaritan Center, Devils Lake. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, June 17, 2005 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake. Fr. C. F. Wilhelm will celebrate the Mass and burial will be in St. Boniface Catholic Cemetery, rural Calio, ND. Military Honors will be accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars. Friends may call at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Thursday, June 16, 2005 from 1:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m. with the Rosary led by the Knights of Columbus. Visitation on Friday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral Mass. Serving as Casket Bearers will be: Jim Schuler, Leo Bittner, Don Mootz, Bernard Schommer, Norman Schommer and Joe Leiphon. Reading the Scriptures will be Verlin Wirth. Gift Bearers will be the Knights of Columbus Ernest Michael Wirth was born on August 6, 1911 on the farm at rural Calio, ND the son of John and Kuni (Schmitz) Wirth. He was reared and educated in the Calio area attending country school. He lived on the farm, farming with horses and one tractor and also they raised cows, pigs, turkeys and chickens for food. They faithfully attended church and would visit with friends and neighbors where they played cards, games and even had house dances. On March 7, 1941 Ernie enlisted in the United States Army at the age of 30. He served for eight months and was discharged as the Army felt they would not need soldiers over age 29. He then worked in a Heinz Pickle Factory in Oakland, California staying with friends who lived there. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Ernie was reactivated on March 19, 1942 and stationed at Camp Roberts, California. He was then sent to Fort Benning, Florida to motor mechanics school. He returned to Camp Roberts where he taught motor and electrical mechanics to the other soldiers for two years and then returned to Fort Benning. He then went overseas to England, France, Belgium and Czechoslovakia where he worked in a shop and truck motor pool. When he returned to the United States he was stationed in Texas at a Prisoner of War Camp. They were glad that Ernie could speak and understand German as this was a valuable asset to the Army. Ernie was honorably discharged on October 22, 1945 with the rank of Technician 4th Grade. He returned to rural Calio where he farmed and was a rural mail carrier for many years. He eventually moved into Munich and in 1981 moved to Devils Lake where he has since made his home. Ernie was a former member of St. Boniface Catholic Church and St. Mary’s Catholic Church and after moving to Devils Lake a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. He was a life member of the Knights of Columbus and the 4th Degree. Ernie is survived by Many Nieces, Nephews and Cousins Sister-In-Law: Helen Wirth of Montana He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Emery and Herman Wirth of Calio and David Wirth of Deer Lodge, Montana; sisters, Sr. Julia Wirth of the Fargo Presentation Sisters and Esther Gibbons and Mary Ann Wirth both of California. Friends may sign the on-line register book at www.gilbertsonfuneralhome.com Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake in charge of arrangements.