Tom Wirt

Thomas Thackeray Wirt, passed into the loving arms of his Savior on Saturday, November 7, 2020, at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota following a month long battle with complications of Covid 19. He was born June 5, 1943 in Winona and was a lifelong resident of Lewiston, Minnesota, graduating from Lewiston High School, class of 1961 and Winona Secretarial School in 1962. Tom was very active in his community. He was in the first EMT class in southeast Minnesota and was a charter member of the Lewiston Ambulance serving for twenty years. He was a volunteer fireman with Lewiston Fire Department for thirty-four years. He was active in Lewiston Lion's Club for over thirty years, served as a boy scout leader, and was a member of Lewiston Church of the Brethren. He served as treasurer of several organizations: Winona County DHIA, Lewiston Church of the Brethren, and Heartland Days. Tom was known for his meticulous handwriting and record keeping. He was a kidney transplant recipient in 2010 and was forever grateful to his donor, Cindi Love, for the gift of life and 10 years of normal living. He loved people and entertained them with his version of "Rindercella" and other poems he memorized. He always responded to "How are you?" with "I'm fantastic, but I'll get better". He loved travelling and enjoyed spending time in the Phoenix, Arizona area. He also enjoyed singing and music of many types, theater, and being with family.
Tom had varied occupations, beginning as a pin setter repairman for Clymar Bowl, accounting assistant for Jack Dory, bookkeeping at Camera Art, and accounting at SEMCAC. In 1992, he decided to change careers and attended Winona Vocational School for truck driving. He was an over the road truck driver for seventeen years working for Roehl Transport, Marshfield, WI; Midwest Transportation, Rochester, MN; and Taylor Trucking, Northfield, MN. He also drove school bus for Lewiston School District 857. After his retirement, he became a faithful driver for the Amish community, making many dear friends, and just loving the people he came in contact with.
He married Jana Werner in 1978 and they divorced in 1998. He married Betty M. Risser in 1999.
He is survived by his wife, Betty, a son, Thomas Lyle (Melynda) of Utica, stepdaughters Sarah Quam of Brooklyn Park, Beth Cage (Todd) of St. Charles; stepsons, Jamie Risser (Heidi) of Rochester, Joel Risser (Kristen) of Rochester, Brent Risser (Alanna) of Apple Valley; seven step grandchildren, Parker Cage, Emma Cage, Trent Risser, Kaleigh Risser, Tyler Risser, Zachary Risser, and Ryan Risser. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Dorothy Wirt.
Services to remember Tom will be 11 a.m. Saturday, November 14, 2020 at Hoff Funeral Service in St. Charles with Pastor Gordon Hoffert officiating. Burial will follow in the Church of the Brethren Cemetery in rural Lewiston. A visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Friday and 10 - 11 a.m. Saturday at Hoff funeral Service - St. Charles. Social distancing and facemasks are required. Tom's funeral service will be limited to 60 attendees. A live stream of the service may be accessed with the following link; https://www.oneroomstreaming.com/view/authorise.php?k=160499289084951
Please share a memory of Tom and view his video tribute when it becomes available at www.hofffuneral.com.