John R. Fritson (1940)

FRITSON, FRITSEN, CHRISS, MADSEN, SMITH, CARRELL, ANDREW, COARD, JOHNSON, ROBERTS

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler
Date: 7/31/2006 at 15:41:42

Earlham Echo
Earlham, Iowa
Thursday, May 6, 1940

John R. Fritsenfi eldest of the four children of Frederick Hansen and Doretha Christiana Fritzen, was born in Denmark, November 29, 1852. He came to this country when he was 17 years of age, settling in Jasper county, Iowa. In 1894 he came to Earlham, which has since been his home.

On May 25, 1875 he was married to Elsie Chriss, and to this union came seven children to bless the home. The family circle was broken September 1904, when Fred, the eldest son, passed on before, and again in 1933, when on April 4, the faithful companion of nearly 58 years departed this life.

John Fritsen took an active interest in community and civic affairs, serving for a time on the Earlham school Board and on the Earlham town council. As a young man he united with the Church of Christ, where he has since retained his membership.

His greatest interest centered in his home, and he was ever happiest when his children were all about him. This loving memory of a kind and loving father they will ever cherish as one of their most priceless treasures. In 1925 John and Elsie Fritsen celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary, which time was indeed a golden milestone on the happy road they had traveled together.

Every one who knew Grandpa Fritsen loved the kindly old man. His familiar figure will be missed from our midst.

On the evening of May 29, 1940 John Fritsen passed away at his home in west Earlham. He leaves to mourn their loss six children, Dora Madsen of Chehalis, Washington; Mary Smith of Des Moines, Iowa; James Fritsen of Earlham; Margaret Carrell of Olathe, Kansas; Ella Andrew of Earlham, and Kathren Coard of Fort Worth, Texas, all of whom are present today except two daughters who were unable to come because of illness; besides these, 12 grandchildren,six great grandchidlren, one brother, Peter Fritsen, of Durant, Iowa, and host of other relatives and friends, his two sisters, Hannah Johnson and Sena Roberts, having preceded him in death.
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Transcriber's note: This obituary was typed as printed in the Echo. The last name appears different in several places but should be "Fritson" per the gravestone.

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