FRITZ, Willard Henry 1911-2005

FRITZ, FETKETTER, KIESAU, BRODERICK, SCHLEIN, LOTZA, RADLOFF, ERICKSON, SCHULTE

Posted By: Errin Wilker
Date: 7/24/2015 at 14:05:48

Willard H. Fritz, 93, of Waukon, Iowa, died Friday, May 13, 2005, at the Good Samaritan Center in Waukon. Funeral services were held Monday, May 16 at First Presbyterian Church in Waukon with Rev. Larry Olson officiating. Burial was in Lansing Ridge Cemetery, rural Lansing. Martin Funeral Home in Waukon was in charge of arrangements.

Willard Henry Fritz was born December 10, 1911, on the rural Lansing, Iowa, farm of his parents, William and Matilda (Fetketter) Fritz. He was baptized and confirmed at French Creek United Methodist Church, attended Lansing Elementary School, and graduated from Lansing High School in 1930, where he participated in basketball, baseball, and track. After graduating he farmed with his twin brother Harold in rural Lansing.

On August 4, 1956, he married Erma Kiesau at Salem United Church of Christ in rural Waukon. They lived in Waukon but Willard continued to farm with his brother until the late 1970s. Willard and Harold also had a painting business and painted over 100 houses throughout the county. Erma died in 1993.

On December 30, 1995, he married Martina (Broderick) Schlein at First Presbyterian Church in Waukon. Since January of 2004 Willard has been a resident at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon.

Willard was a member of First Presbyterian Church and Farm Bureau. He played saxophone in the Frank Bechtel Band for several years and later with the Twin Tones, giving many performances at area nursing homes. He loved music, was an avid sports fan, and enjoyed farming and taking care of his livestock, especially his Jersey cows.

Survivors include his wife, Martina Fritz of Waukon; a brother, Harold (Nadine) Fritz, of Waukon; four step-children, David Schlein and Janice (Lawrence) Lotza, both of Monona, and Judy (Roger) Radloff and Donna (Paul) Erickson, both of Clermont; six step-grandchildren; five step-great-grandchildren; one step-great-great-grandson; and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife Erma; a step-son, Jackie Schlein; and a step-great-grandson, Ryan Schulte.

Casketbearers were Kenneth Krambeer; Eric, Andy, and Tom Strong; Kyle Schlein; Tom Fritz; and Walter Johnson.

Source: Waukon Standard, Waukon, IA, May 2005