Fred W. "Fritz" Lettau Jr. 1922 - 2019

LETTAU, SCHROEDER, RAMEDEN

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 9/10/2019 at 00:38:58

Sioux City Journal
20 August 2019

Sioux City

Fred W. "Fritz" Lettau Jr., 97, of Sioux City, died Friday, Aug. 16, 2019, at his residence.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Morningside Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Homes.

Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, with a prayer service at 7 p.m., at the funeral home. Online condolences can be made to the family at www.christysmith.com.

Fred "Fritz" William Lettau Jr., the son of Fred Sr. and Ida (Schroeder) Lettau, was born on June 16, 1922, in Thurston, Neb. He graduated from Central High School in Sioux City in 1941. Fred then went to work at Milwaukee Weiner.

On Dec. 25, 1942, Fred was united in marriage to Ruth Rameden in Sioux City. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and served honorably as a marine raider. Fred was stationed in the South Pacific, Okinawa, and Guadalcanal. He received a Purple Heart during his service and later in life was honored to be named Marine of the Year. Fritz was discharged in 1945 at the rank of corporal.

Fred returned to Sioux City and graduated from Morningside College with a degree in mathematics. He then became a police officer, and was the first motorcycle officer in Sioux City. After doing this for 11 years, Fritz went to school in Texas to become an insurance agent. He continued to sell insurance until late into his life.

Fred was a member of the Marine Corps League, the American Legion, the V.F.W., and the River City Anglers. He enjoyed fishing, cooking, and playing the harmonica. Fritz also had a great love of animals.

Fred is survived by two daughters, Ruth "Bugs" Cornell and Janet Hein, both of Sioux City; three grandchildren, Dennis (Carolyn) McKenzie, Teresa (Jeff) Johnson, and Aaron (Liz) Hein; three great-grandchildren, Cameron, Shaylee, and Kambell; a sister-in-law, Helen Schultz of Minnesota; and many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; and a sister, Elsie Earlandson.