FRITSCH, Rudolph J. (1898-1983)

FRITSCH, THEOBALD, SINCLAIR

Posted By: Hancock Co Genealogical Society (email)
Date: 4/9/2015 at 19:38:23

Longtime Garner businessman
Rudy Fritsch dies

GARNER: One of Garner's better known businessmen, R.J. "Rudy." Fritsch, died Friday (Sept. 2, 1983) at a Garner nursing home. He was 85.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Garner with Monsignor Roger O'Brien officiating and Father William Holzer as con celebrate. Burial will be in St. Boniface Cemetery.

Visitation is after I p.m. Monday at Cataldo Funeral Chapel in Garner, where a parish rosary service will be 7:30 p.m. Monday.

Mr. Fritsch was born in Garner on July 26, 1898, and graduated from Garner High School and St. Joseph College in Dubuque.

His business career was a long and varied one, centered mostly in Garner.

In 1913, he worked at Ray McNally's Drugstore in Garner, then at the First National Bank in Garner and later for the Security National Bank in Garner.

He then worked for Bankers Supply Co. of Chicago as a sales manager out of the Des Moines office.

In 1925, Mr. Fritsch returned to Garner and established the National Sales & Investment Co. In 1928, he obtained a franchise for Majestic Radios, and in 1932 pioneered Fritsch Motor Co., selling Chrysler and Plymouth autos.

During the Depression, he established a trading post where goods could be bartered. In a 1978 Globe-Gazette story, he explained the trading post.

"I found one week we had $3.85 in cash from sales and I realized we would have to get back to the barter and exchange days," he said then. "I acquired a lot of stuff during that time. People even brought in cows and horses to trade."

He acquired many valuable goods during that time and so began an antique business.

In 1943, he was appointed justice of the peace in Concord Township and was re-elected each year until 1973, when he was forced to retire because of his age.

In 1946, he took over the Eastman Kodak franchise and operated Fritsch Studio until retiring in 1981.

In 1929, he joined the Garner Lions Club, serving as district governor in 1953-54, and was awarded the club's gold pin in 1979 for 50 years of perfect attendance. He also was a member of the Garner Chamber of Commerce for over 50 years.

Mr. Fritsch was a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church and was a former fourth degree Knights of Columbus member.

He married Fran Theobald on Oct. 23, 1933, in West Union, and she survives him. Also surviving is a sister, Mrs. Robert (Marguerite) Sinclair, Minneapolis.

source: Mason City Globe Gazette, 5 Sep 1983