Obit: Fritz, Elton (1911 - 1997)

Contact: Linda Mertens

Email: mertens@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Fritz, Rooney, Potocnik, Kaduce, Asplin, Jablonic, Himes, Hanson, Weiler, Shilts, Smith, Hargraves, Kaduce, Opitz, Sides, Back, Cummings, Broome, Kadolph

 ---Source - Helen Johnson's Scrapbook

Elton J. Fritz (17 Jul 1911 - 13 Jul 1997)

Elton J. “Jack” Fritz, 85, Owen, died July 13, 1997 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield.

Funeral services will be on Friday, July 18, at 10:30 A.M. at the United Church of Christ in Owen, with his nephew Rev. Arden C. Fritz presiding.  Burial will be in the Riverside Cemetery in Withee.

Visitation will be on Thursday, July 17, 1997, at the Maurina Funeral Home in Owen from 4 to 9 P.M. and then on Friday at the United Church of Christ one hour prior to services at 10:30 A.M.

Jack was born on July 17, 1911, in Swaledale, IA, the son of Walter and Belle (Rooney) Fritz.  He moved as an infant with this family to the town of Hoard, rural Owen.  He attended the Owen Public Schools.

He and Alice Potocnik were married on Nov. 20, 1934, in a double wedding with his sister, Dolly and George Kaduce, in Swaledale, IA.  Jack worked for many years at the Clark County Health Care Center.  In 1945, Jack and Alice purchased the former James Asplin place in the town of Hoard and farmed there until 1974.  Alice died on August 19, 1984.  Jack continued to live on the family farm until 1994, when he moved to the Poplar Apartments in Owen.

Jack was a trapper, life-long hunter and fisherman, a member of both the Black River Rod and Gun Club and Bowman’s Club, a member of the Wisconsin Conservation Congress, Young Farmers Club, Farmer’s Union, and the United Church of Christ.  He was instrumental in establishing the Sportsman’s Lake/Watershed Project and was very active in the O-W Senior Citizen’s group.  Jack drove school bus for many years for the O-W public school system and in the early 1970’s was chosen as the Outstanding Citizen for the Owen Jr. Fair.  In his retired years, he spent many days pursuing his woodworking hobby.

Survivors include his children Susie and Randy Jablonic of Madison, Valerie and George Himes of Omaha, NE, Larry and Sandy Fritz of Owen, Reva and Harry Hanson of Withee, Sharon and Gary Weiler of Hastings, MN, Laurel and LaVerne Shilts of Owen and Gary and Christine Fritz of Owen; 22 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; sister, Polly Smith of Owen; brothers, Lorraine “Boots” and Mary Fritz of Marshfield and Allen and Barbara Fritz of Milwaukee; numerous other relatives and dear friend, Dorothy Hargraves of Colby.

He was preceded in death by his wife Alice, parents, brother, Earl Fritz, sister, Dolly Kaduce and grandson, Mark Himes.

Memorials may be given in his name to the United Church of Christ or the Owen-Withee Ambulance Fund.

Pallbearers are Tim Himes, John Jablonic, Scott Fritz, Derek Hanson, Chuck Weiler, Rob Shilts and Erik Fritz.  Honorary pallbearers are Dan Fritz, Jeff Fritz, Mike Weiler, Ronald Shilts, Craig Fritz, Chad Fritz and Nathan Fritz.

Flower girls are Kay Jablonic Opitz, Anne Himes Sides, Cheryl Weiler Back, Tami Fritz Cummings, Wendy Fritz, Pamela Hanson Broome, Debra Hanson Kadolph and Lana Shilts.