Dolores Ellen Waltz, age 74, of Maiden Rock, died March 4, 2023 at the Mayo Clinic Hospital, Methodist Campus in Rochester. Dolores was born on July 30, 1948 in Red Wing, Minn., the daughter of Eldon and Florence (Fischer) Wirth. She attended Lincoln Elementary School in rural Maiden Rock before combining with the Ellsworth School District. Following this, she graduated from Ellsworth High School in the Class of ‘66.
Dolores was united in marriage to Gary Waltz at Saint Paul’s United Church of Christ in Ellsworth in 1968. To further bless this union, children Mike, Brian, Katrina, and Kevin were born. She worked many years as the church secretary for Saint Paul’s UCC. She took great pride in her faith and the church congregation, which was family to her. Furthermore, she proofread for Jostens, overseeing their school diplomas production.
Dolores’s life can be summed up in two words: family and faith. Nothing warmed her heart more than being surrounded by her family, whether serving a chicken feed or her renowned spaghetti. Regardless, she loved to put on a feast. Not to be forgotten, her cinnamon rolls always brought big smiles when they were served. Her homestead always brought her great peace and tranquility. Family meals, tending to her raised flower beds, and always making sure the birds had plenty to feast on were always high on her list and most important. Earlier in life, she tapped into her artistic self and began oil painting. She took great pleasure from painting landscapes or wildlife scenes. She would also dabble in watercolors as well. Gary was an active member of the Hancock Masonic Lodge 229 in Ellsworth. In supporting Gary and seeing the great things they did for the community, she became an active member of the Order of The Eastern Star 116, a branch of the masonic lodge tailored for the women. Her faith was unwavering. She raised her children to be kind to others, and treat others by the Golden Rule, as they would want done unto them. She was an active member of Saint Paul’s UCC, serving in their ladies guild, and found being active in their lay ministry most rewarding. Her loving, gentle, and kind demeanor touched those who were fortunate to know her and will be missed greatly!
Dolores will forever remain in the hearts of her children Mike (Tammy) Waltz of Elmwood, Brian (Shauna) Waltz of St. Croix Falls, Katrina (Nathaniel) Hunton of Maiden Rock, Kevin (Kristin Knudson) Waltz of Columbia Heights; grandchildren Alexia, Jacob, Ashlin, Bryce, Matthew, Benjamin, Oscar; siblings Connie (Steve) Vogt of Bay City, Gracie (Sam) Roed of Ellsworth, Frank (Carol) Wirth of Spring Valley, Gidget (Wally) Brown of Oak Creek, John (Traudi) Wirth of Ellsworth, sister-in-law Lynn Jewel of Brookfield; as well as many nieces and nephews. Dolores is preceded in death by her husband Gary; daughter Amy; sister Ginny (Bob) Jewel; and brother-in-law Harold Leonard.
Funeral services for Dolores were held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 11 at Saint Paul’s United Church of Christ rural Ellsworth. Burial will be at a later date in the church cemetery. Active casket bearers were her nephews. Visitation was one hour prior to the service at the church Saturday morning. Memorials are preferred to the discretion of the family.
Funeral services were entrusted to the O’Connell Family Funeral Home of Ellsworth, www.oconnellfuneralhomes.com, 715-273-4421.
