Mildred I. (Ash) Wirta-Piri

Mildred I. “Millie” Wirta-Piri, 98 of Deer River, died on Monday, November 18, 2019 in Essentia Health Deer River.

            Born on August 18, 1921 in Floyd, Iowa, she was the daughter of Howard M. and Elsie (Kraft) Ash. She had worked at the Itasca Nursing Home for many years, but most of her life was spent on the Wirta farm in Trout Lake, where she worked just as hard as the men. She was a member of Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Bovey. Surviving two strokes in 2014, she maintained a positive attitude and a lust for life. She enjoyed going to the casino with Vern, playing bingo and did embroidering, which she did until age 97. Even as she aged, she continued to help others with housekeeping and laundry chores. She never met a person she didn’t enjoy chatting with, strangers became acquaintances and then friends.

            She is preceded in death by her first husband; Felix Wirta in 2000, a son; Cary Wirta in 2005, her parents, two sisters; Alice and Elaine, and a brother; Howard Jr.

            Survivors include her husband; Vern Piri of Deer River, MN, Daughters; Darla Anderson of San Diego, CA and Barbara (Charles) Russell of Bakersfield, CA, and a son; Larry (Toni) Wirta of Bovey, MN. Vern’s four children; Deb (Paul), Dean (Kathy), Diane (Bob) and Dave (Laverne). 7 Grandchildren; Kari, Scott, John, Chaitra, Matthew, Becca and Allison. 9 great-grandchildren; Quinn, Uriah, Quillan, Abram, Bella, Jaxson, Landon, Kyren and Eli. A daughter-in-law; Debbie Wirta of Highland Ranch, CO, and a brother; Lloyd Ash of Calumet, MN

            Visitation will be from 11:00 AM until the 12:00 PM Funeral Service on Saturday, November 23, 2019 in the Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Bovey. Interment will be in the Lakeview Cemetery, Coleraine.

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