MASON CITY, IOWA – Erwin Loyd Moritz, 94, of Mason City, passed away peacefully Friday, August 28, 2026, at Heritage Care Center, leaving behind a life marked by military service, hard work, faith and devotion to family.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 PM Friday, September 11, at Hogan Bremer Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 Third Street NE in Mason City.
A funeral service will begin at 10:30 AM Saturday, September 12, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 419 North Delaware Avenue in Mason City. Reverend Karl Bollhagen will officiate. Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Erwin was born December 15, 1931, in Elmwood, Wisconsin, to Herman and Ida Fuhrman Moritz. He attended Evergreen Valley County School through eighth grade before leaving the classroom to help his parents operate the family farm.
His life changed in 1951 when he was drafted into the United States Marine Corps. Erwin served during the Korean War from December 1951 until December 1953, attaining the rank of private first class. He remained deeply proud of his service throughout his life.
After returning home, Erwin worked several part-time jobs before beginning a remarkable 50-year career installing billboard signs. He remained in the advertising industry until retiring in 2009.
Over the years, Erwin became a familiar face at what is now Awe’z Sandwich Shop, where he regularly stopped for coffee and conversation. He enjoyed visiting with his coffee groups and occasionally made several such stops in a single day.
Erwin married Judith “Judi” Symes on August 15, 1958, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. Together, they raised four daughters—Karla, Kaylene, Kelly and Krista—and created a family life that remained central to everything Erwin did.
He took tremendous pride in his daughters and granddaughter, Erin. Welcoming his first great-grandson, Winter Dean, gave him another cherished title and a new reason to celebrate his growing family.
Curious and mechanically inclined, Erwin enjoyed discovering how things worked and solving problems with his own hands. He was an enthusiastic reader, gardener and tinkerer with an impressive store of knowledge about automobiles and tractors.
Friends and family knew him as an outgoing man with a sharp sense of humor and a quick remark. His friendly personality and gift for conversation made him both memorable and enjoyable company.
Faith was another cornerstone of Erwin’s life. He was a founding member of Gethsemane Lutheran Church before joining Bethlehem Lutheran Church in 1980. He remained involved for many years, serving as an usher and member of the Board of Trustees.
Erwin is survived by his daughters, Karla Conlon, Kaylene Moritz, Kelly Moritz and Krista Moritz; granddaughter Erin and her husband, Dave Burrow; great-grandson Winter Dean Burrow; brother Leroy Moritz; and numerous nieces, nephews, church family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Judi; parents, Herman and Ida Moritz; brothers Carl, Alfred and Vernon Moritz; sister Eleanor; and son-in-law Larry Conlon.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Hawkeye Harvest Food Bank, Retrieving Freedom or Bethlehem Lutheran Church.
Hogan Bremer Moore Colonial Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. To view Erwin’s complete obituary, share a memory or send condolences, please click here.
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