Barbara Ellen Hydo Wirtes

Barbara Ellen Hydo Wirtes

September 24, 1935 – May 17, 2025

Barbara Ellen Hydo Wirtes, 89, passed away peacefully on May 17, 2025, in Hobe Sound, Florida.

Barbara was born on September 24, 1935, in Gary, Indiana, to Stephen Hydo and Charlotte (Preuss) Hydo. She was the second of five daughters and grew up in the Tolleston neighborhood of Gary. A proud graduate of Tolleston High School, Class of 1953, Barbara was an accomplished student and a talented musician, serving as first chair trumpet in the marching band. She was also an outstanding tennis player, winning numerous local tournaments and earning the title of Indiana State Champion in her age group, which led to an invitation to the U.S. finals in Philadelphia.

As a teenager, Barbara worked at the Dari Maid ice cream shop and at her father’s restaurant, the Hi-De-Ho. On August 13, 1953, she married Albert Wirtes. Together they raised four children, Stephen, Barbara, Susan, and Albert Jr., and built a life in Merrillville, Indiana. Barbara was deeply active in her community, participating in the PTA, St. Stephen’s Catholic Church Women’s Club, and various civic and governmental organizations in Merrillville. Barbara and Albert owned Merrillville U-Lock mini storage, and Barbara was the primary manager and operator of the company.

In 1994, Barbara and Al retired to Mesa, Arizona, and later moved to Hobe Sound, Florida, in 2003. Frequent travelers in retirement, Barbara and Al visited destinations on six continents collecting memories from all corners of the world. She rode camels in the shadow of the pyramids in Egypt, rode elephants in India, posed with cobras in Morocco, walked on the Great Wall of China, crawled through the Củ Chi Tunnels in Vietnam, strolled with llamas at Machu Picchu and with penguins at Cape Horn, just to name a few.

Barbara is survived by her devoted husband of over 71 years, Albert Wirtes; sisters Charlotte (widow of Rich) Primer, and Geri (widow of George) Koepke; her children Stephen (Angie) Wirtes, Barbara (widow of Kevin) Dolan, Susan (widow of Robert) Chenoweth, and Albert (Kathleen) Wirtes Jr.; 11 grandchildren: Brian Dolan, Margaret “Maggie” Dolan, Sean (Meghan) Dolan, Kevin Dolan, Stuart (Hayley) Wirtes, Mitchell (Jen) Wirtes, Hannah Chenoweth, Ian Chenoweth, Kira Chenoweth, Casey Wirtes, and Jack Wirtes; and five great-grandchildren: Willow Wirtes, Reed Wirtes, Maeve Dolan, Clare Dolan, and Quinn Dolan. Barbara is preceded in death by her sisters Sylvia (John) Saffa, and Betty (Jim) Marando.

Barbara will be remembered for her sense of humor, her sense of adventure, and her deep love for her family.

Visitation:
Friday, May 23, 2025 • 4:00PM - 7:00PM
Geisen Funeral Home – Crown Point
606 E. 113th Ave., Crown Point, IN 46307

Vigil:
Saturday, May 24, 2025 • 9:30AM
Our Lady of Consolation Catholic Church
8303 Taft Street, Merrillville, IN 46410

Funeral Mass:
Saturday, May 24, 2025 • 10:00AM
Our Lady of Consolation Catholic Church
8303 Taft Street, Merrillville, IN 46410

Interment:
Saturday, May 24, 2025 • Immediately following funeral mass
Calvary Cemetery
2701 Willowdale Road, Portage, Indiana, 46368

Check the Geisen Funeral Home website for the most up-to-date information:
https://www.geisenfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Barbara-Ellen-Hydo-Wirtes