Jerome A. Kirtz, 81, of Adams, Minnesota, passed away on Monday, June 10, 2019, at the Adams Heath Care Center in Adams.

Jerome Alfonse Kirtz was born March 24, 1938, in Lodi Township, Mower County, Minnesota, to Alfons and Margaret (Kasel) Kirtz. He graduated from Adams High School. On April 28, 1973, he was united in marriage to Marlene Psyk at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Adams.

Jerome grew up on the family farm and enjoyed farming and sports; he played football, basketball and baseball. In his working years, he had a milk can route, drove a school bus, and worked as an electrician. He loved old time music and polka dancing. He also enjoyed gardening and grew huge, sweet watermelons for family Fourth of July celebrations for many years. He enjoyed camping and picnics in the park with family and friends. He loved to work in his shop and was great at building and fixing things.

In later years, he and Marlene enjoyed many vacations around the United States. He loved taking a drive to see the countryside, look for deer, or point out the buildings he had wired. He valued home, family, and friends and always had time to visit. He was quick with a joke and kept his sense of humor through his final days.

Most of all, he cherished his grandchildren and loved them with all his heart. He loved to play with them, watch them play ball and do other activities, and take them for rides on the golf cart.

He had a strong faith and gentle kindness and will be deeply missed by many.

He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, and the Root River Antique Historical Power Association.

Jerome is survived by his wife, Marlene; children, Mike (Mary) Kirtz of Eyota, Minnesota, Tom (Shellese) Kirtz of Eyota and Janet (Derek) O’Connor of Preston, Minnesota; grandchildren, Jeremy, Dillon and Haley O’Connor, Wyatt, Ella and Hazel Kirtz, and Caleb, Chloe and Cooper Kirtz; sisters, Regina Bottema of Rose Creek, Minnesota, and Dorothy Petersen of Albert Lea, Minnesota; sisters-in-law, Edna Kirtz of Adams, Betty Kirtz of Adams and Kay Kirtz of the Twin Cities; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Alfons and Margaret Kirtz; stepmother, Helena Kirtz; and brothers, John, Fred, Ray and Joe.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 15, 2019, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Swaminatha Pothireddy officiating. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m., with a Knights of Columbus rosary at 4 p.m. and a prayer service at 8 p.m., on Friday, June 14, 2019, at the Adams Funeral Home. Visitation will continue from 9:30-10:30 a.m. on Saturday at the funeral home. Interment will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Sacred Heart School.