FRITZ, Wilfred Michael "Mike"

FRITZ, GEPHART, SHEKA, ELLINGSON, WARD, WIELAND, WIKE, COMBS, FITZL, OHDEN

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 4/4/2017 at 04:55:59

Obituary ~ Wilfred M. “Mike” Fritz
March 20, 1941 ~ December 20, 2011

The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Wednesday, December 21, 2011

MASON CITY — Wilfred M. “Mike” Fritz, 70, died Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2011, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City.

A funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 23, at Holy Family Catholic Church, 714 N. Adams, with the Reverend Kenneth B. Gehling officiating. Burial will be in Elmwood St. Joseph Cemetery, Mason City.

Mike’s viewing will be Thursday, from 4-7 p.m. with a scriptural wake service at 6 p.m., at Hogan Bremer Moore Memorial Chapel, 126 Third St. N.E., Mason City. Should friends desire, memorials may be directed to Hospice of North Iowa.

Wilfred Michael Fritz was born on March 20, 1941, at Mason City, to Wilfrid and Lucille (Gephart) Fritz. He was raised in Mason City and graduated from Holy Family Catholic School. He also attended Hawkeye Technical College in Waterloo. Mike was united in marriage to Rosie Sheka on Feb. 1, 1964, in Plymouth at St. Michael’s Catholic Church; to this union four children were born.

Mike had a variety of careers during his life including working for Northwestern State Portland Cement, White Farm Equipment, owning Fritz’s Texaco in Mason City, but most recently he was employed and retired from the City of Mason City where he worked as an operator of the waste water treatment plant.

After retirement, Mike and Rosie relocated to Lakeville, Minn., to help their granddaughter pursue her dream of playing hockey. In October of 2011 they moved back to Mason City to be closer to family. He became very active with the Lakeville Booster Club and helped Morgan’s hockey team. While in Lakeville, Mike and Rosie met many great people and established new friendships. Mike loved spending time with his family; especially attending his grandchildrens’ school and sport activities. He enjoyed traveling, taking cruises, fishing and will be remembered most for his sense of humor and his gift of gabbing!

Mike is survived by his wife, Rosie Fritz, Mason City, daughters Brenda Fritz, Forest City; Cheryl (Dave) Ellingson, Indianola, Anne (John) Ward, Mason City, and Kathryn Fritz and special friend Travis Wieland, Hanska, Minn.; eight grandchildren: Megan, Emily, Lindsay, Josh, Morgan, Zach, JD, and Claire; his sister, Suzanne (Glen) Wike, his brother, Edward (Mary) Fritz; his Aunts Margaret and Lois; brothers and sisters-in-law Claudia (Wesley) Combs, Jean (Dennis) Fitzl, Jane(Edward) Ohden, Glenn (Satta) Sheka; along with many nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.

Mike is preceded in death by his parents.

Hogan Bremer Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 Third Street N.E., Mason City, Iowa 50401, 641-423-2372, http://www.colonialchapels.com/

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, February of 2017