Lewis Howard Wirth, 81, a former Baker City resident, died July 29, 2009, at Orem, Utah.
His funeral was Monday at the Walker Sanderson Funeral Home in North Orem, Utah. Interment was at the Orem City Cemetery.
Lewis was born on July 10, 1928, to Joseph and Inez Wirth at Burns Lake, British Columbia, where he lived until the age of 8. His family then moved to Medical Springs where they farmed and ranched.
He graduated from Baker High School, where he met and married Arlene Johnson. They were married on April 9, 1950, at Baker City. Together they raised their family of four children. Lewis continued to farm and ranch and also became employed at Powder River Livestock Equipment Co.
In 1961 he moved his family to Orem, Utah, where he helped establish a manufacturing facility for Powder River, at Provo, Utah. He worked for Powder River for 25 years. He later was employed by Brown Strauss Steel at Lindon, Utah, where he finished his working years.
Lewis was a big fan of Utah Jazz basketball and Brigham Young University football. He enjoyed many hours watching basketball and football. He loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was a member of Christ Evangelical Church.
He leaves a living legacy in Utah County. His name will be carried on for many generations to come.
Survivors include his wife, Arlene; his children and their spouses, Julie and Jerry Sorensen of Orem, Utah, Scott Wirth of Baker City, Blaine and Laura Wirth of Orem, Utah, and Jeff and Jolene Wirth of Pleasant Grove, Utah; his grandchildren, Ryan, Rory, and Ashley Sorensen, Hank, and Jena Wirth, Matt, Jake and Michael Wirth, Dana Thornton, Stacey Towers and Nick Bowman; and 20 great-grandchildren; his brother and sister-in-law, Albert and Dee Wirth of Albany; sister, Arleta Turner of Albany; sisters-in-law, Helen Wirth of Baker City, Margie Stewart and her husband, Jim, of Anacortes, Wash., and Evelyn Keith and her husband, Frank, of Baker City; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Harold Wirth; and brothers-in-law, Earl Johnson and Roger Turner of Baker City.
Family members expressed their appreciation to the staff of the Orem Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for all the love and care that they provided. They asked that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the Orem Nursing and Rehabilitation Center of Orem, Utah.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon August 07, 2009
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor