Liesl Wirtz

San Jose

Liesl Lynn Wirtz, 44, died on July 19th, 2018 in San Francisco, from colon cancer. She was born to Dr. Larry Wirtz and Loree (King) Wirtz in Eugene, OR.

Liesl attended Meadowlark Elementary School, Monroe Middle School, and Sheldon High School, graduating in 1991. She especially loved her ballet, jazz and tap dance classes, starting at age 3. She enjoyed playing the piano, violin and clarinet. In high school she was on the volleyball team and a cheerleader. Her most memorable trips with her family were to Hawaii and Iowa. During high school she was an exchange student for a month in Filderstadt, Germany.

In 1996, she graduated from Portland State University (PSU) with a BS in business administration. After working as a software specialist for a few years, she earned an MS in computer information systems from Missouri State University in 2002, earning membership in the Beta Gamma Sigma honors society. While working in the computer lab at PSU, she met Christopher Frey, a graduate assistant. They moved to San Jose in 2001 and married in 2003 in the Shakespeare Garden in Golden Gate Park. For 15 years Liesl worked for the County of Santa Clara Office of the Sheriff as an information systems analyst. Christopher and Liesl enjoyed dancing Argentine tango, attending many social dance events locally, nationally and internationally. Liesl was admired and gracious, demonstrating a kindness and compassion that inspired others to do the same. Possessing unflappable integrity, ethic and determination, she lived life fully, treasured health and fitness, and was unfailingly kind to animals and the less fortunate.

Liesl is survived by her spouse, Christopher, of San Jose, CA; sister Monica Wirtz, stepbrother Russell (Kate) Sherrell and stepsister Tonya (Kevin) Edmisten, all of the Portland, OR metro area; aunt Cozy (Jim) Millice of Wellman, IA; uncle Leon King of Salem, OR; several cousins and ten nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held at First Unitarian Church of San Jose on Saturday, August 25th at noon.

Interment at the San Francisco Columbarium.