John Herbert Bierwirth (Jack) was born on November 9, 1929 near Charter Oak, Iowa to John and Mary Rademacker Bierwirth. He was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran faith by Reverend Carl Schmidt at Denison Iowa. After the death of Jacks father, his mother remarried Reynold Marten with whom Jack enjoyed a very loving relationship. Growing up, Jack loved the outdoors and spent his spare time hunting (especially for ducks), trapping and fishing. The family moved to Denison when he was eight years old and his beloved sister, Mary Ann was thirteen. There he met his life long love, Lorna Mae Groth (Maisie) and married her on July 14, 1949. They purchased a farm near Denison where they lived until 1963. Jack served his country as a member of the army, and was stationed in Germany from 1955 through 1957. His wife joined him there during these years. Upon returning home, they came back to the farm and joyfully adopted Pam, Matt and Sandy. Making a brave gamble, together Jack and Maisie bought a fishing resort on Rush Lake in Ottertail County, Minnesota and to everyones delight John was born shortly after that. They spent eight years at Limmers Resort where Jack, with his charming social personality, excelled at being a fishing guide. Both Jack and Maisie made lifelong friends of the many resort patrons. Jack was a consummate entrepreneur, running other successful businesses besides the farm operation and resort including a car and snowmobile dealership and Jacks Conoco in Missouri Valley. He also worked selling cars for many car dealerships in the area including the Pontiac Buick dealership in Missouri Valley, where the present day Ace Hardware is located. During the resort years, the Bierwirth family made their home in Iowa at California Junction where they later bought a house and lived for many years. Jack and Maisie also lived in Modale, Iowa where Jack raised chicken and sheep while also driving for Southwest Iowa Transit. John Bierwirth age 84, of Missouri valley, Iowa passed away on Wednesday, March 19, 2014 at Longview Care Center in Missouri Valley, Jack and Maisie were able to enjoy their retirement years doing what they loved best, spending the summers in Minnesota on the lake at the Wild Walleye Resort and winters in Texas where they made many more dear lifelong friends. Jack continued spending time hunting and fishing and passed his love of the outdoors to his children and grandchildren. When in Iowa, they also spent many summers camping at local county parks. Both Jack and Maisie loved their animals. His Lhasa Apso, Katy, was his constant companion for the last ten years. Jack daily fed his outdoor cats and making sure their water was full. He also enjoyed bird feeding. He loved his family very much, and was a very soft-hearted, sentimental person. He enjoyed having his family around and he is one of the reasons the family are all so close. He will be missed very much. On March 19, 2014 Jack was joined in heaven with his wife, Maisie; mother, Mary, step-father Ray Marten, and sister, Mary Ann McCollough. He leaves, for now, his children Pam and husband, Mitch Cates; Matt, Sandy, John and wife Betty. His grandchildren, Alyssa Cates, Daisha Roberts, Aubrey and Ashley Bierwirth, Taylor and Paige Herman, Nadiah, Ryan, Yasmeen, and Noah Bierwirth and great grandchild, Max Roberts. He also will be missed by his brothers-in-law Elden Groth and wife, Margaret; and Don Groth and wife Judy; and many nieces and nephews. Visitation with the family will be held from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. Sunday at the Hennessey Funeral Home in Missouri Valley. Memorial Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday at the funeral home with Pastor Connie McWilliams officiating. Music Selections will be How Great Thou Art Just Fishin and Go Rest High On That Mountain Military Honors will be conducted by the Julius F. Muller American Legion Post #337 of Missouri Valley.
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