Linda M. (Okey) Wirtz

Linda Mary (Okey) Wirtz, 77, of Watertown, formerly of Elkhorn, WI, died Saturday, August 25, 2018. She was born December 9, 1940 in Dubuque, IA, the daughter of Clyde and Vivian (Schwartzhoff) Okey. After graduating from high school, Linda earned her nursing degree from St. Anthony's in Rockford, IL, starting a lifelong career caring for others both professionally and personally. Linda's career transitioned from nursing to occupational health to executive management positions in human resources. Linda proudly served as director of human resources for Plasti-Coil, Inc., in Lake Geneva until illness forced her to retire in 2016.

Linda was a loving and dedicated mother to her two children, Erik and Melissa, and cared deeply for her relatives and pets.  Her hobbies included reading, playing bingo and decorating, and she especially cherished the home Erik built for her in Elkhorn in 2002. Linda relocated to Watertown in August 2016, as the result of her declining health to live closer to her daughter.

She is survived by her son, Erik (Terry) Wirtz of Elkhorn, and daughter, Melissa (Jonathan) Lampe of Watertown, and grandchildren Kaityln Vance, Vada and Bodie Wirtz, and Nathan, Patrick and Eleanor Lampe. She is further survived by two sets of identical twin great-grandchildren Riley and Kadyn Wynstra and Evelyn and Adalee Wagner; her sister, Joan Kadlubowski; sisters-in-law, Bonnie Okey and Jan Okey; and brother-in-law, David Borcovan. She will also be missed by many nieces, nephews, friends and her beloved dog, Jasmine. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Lyman (Lee) Okey, James Okey, and sister, Mary Borcovan.

Visitation will be held Friday evening, Aug. 31 from 6-8 p.m. and on Saturday, Sept. 1 from 10-10:30 a.m. at Haase-Lockwood Funeral Home, Elkhorn. A Mass of Christian burial will follow at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 1 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Elkhorn. Gifts in Linda's memory would be appreciated to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas PL., Memphis TN 38105. Online guest book at www.haaselockwoodfhs.com.

The family would like to extend their sincere thanks to the outstanding staff at the UW Johnson Creek Cancer Center, Marquardt Village, and Rainbow Hospice for their excellent and compassionate care of Linda.