Frances Fritz
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Frances K. Fritz, age 85, of Clear Lake, SD passed away on Wednesday, June 30, 2021, at the Deuel County Good Samaritan Society. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 10, 2021, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Clear Lake. Burial will be in the Grandview Cemetery, Gary, SD. Visitation will be 5-7 pm with a 7 pm Prayer Service with Rosary to follow on Friday, July 9th at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Clear Lake. Houseman Funeral Home in Clear Lake is entrusted with the arrangements. Please direct memorials to the New Hope Walk for Cancer.
Frances Kay Fritz was born on January 27, 1936, to Bernard and Alice (Kenyon) Schulte in Yellow Medicine County, MN, four miles East of Gary, SD. She was the second born of eight siblings. Her family moved to Iowa when she was two years old, then returned to Gary when she was five. She grew up on a farm southwest of Gary, attended Troupe Country School through the 8th grade and graduated from Gary High School in 1954.
Fran met her husband of 64 years, Elmer Fritz, at one of the ever-famous Gary Legion Hall dances. They were united in marriage on May 4, 1957, at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Gary and resided in Gary until 1968, when they moved to Clear Lake, SD, remaining there in the same home for 50 years. In 2018, they moved to the Benet Place in Watertown, SD, then in June of 2021 they moved back to Clear Lake to the Deuel County Good Samaritan Society until the time of her death.
Frannie loved everyone, especially her family, always putting other before herself, acting on her strong and steady faith in God and her church. She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Clear Lake and was a ferocious prayer warrior. Her pantry was always full to welcome anyone into her home for a snack and coffee or to share a meal. She was constantly on the go, most often with Elmer at her side, whether it be as part of the American Legion Auxiliary, working at Gary dances and cooking and serving prime rib on Saturday night, a long-time committee member for the Gary annual all school reunion, member of the church altar society; teaching CCD, distributing communion as eucharistic minister, church lector, singing in the church choir, monthly card club, taking part in the New Hope Walk for Cancer or gathering together with family.
She worked hard her entire life, starting on the family farm, and caring for her younger siblings. After high school, she worked at the State School for the Blind in Gary until she married. She later became a cook for the Clear Lake Public School, which she continued for 33 years. After she "retired" from the school at age 72, she went to work for Ardy's Bakery to earn her fun money, which consisted of giving to her family, those in need or her many beloved charities. She reluctantly fully retired at age 80 due to health reasons, but never stopped completely, caring for Elmer during his own challenges until she was no longer able to.
Frances is survived by her husband Elmer Fritz, Clear Lake, SD; four children: James (Angel) Fritz, Bruce (Deb) Fritz, Benda (Randy) Gira and Douglas (Julie Kjenstad) Fritz; sister, Judy (Bob Lanoue); brother, John "JB" (Caroline) Schulte; 13 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers: Donald (Ellen Schulte Bekaert), Eugene (Diane), Paul (Judy), and Richard Schulte; and sister, Cecile (Austin) McInerny.