Vernon Fritz
d. June 9, 2017
Vernon was born on May 3, 1923 in Clara City, Minnesota. He was the youngest child of Michael and Pauline (Peters) Fritz. He grew up in Clara City and was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church. He graduated from Clara City High School in 1942 and enlisted in the Marine Corp in 1943. He fought in the Pacific Theater securing the Solomon Islands.
On March 31, 1945 He was united in marriage to Helen A. Kamstra in Fredericksburg, Virginia. After being discharged from the service in 1946, they made their home in Clara City where he worked with his brother Marvin. In 1949, after Marvin’s death he acquired Fritz Trucking and Livestock and hauled freight coast to coast for Variety Supply Company. After his retirement in 1987, he and Helen made their home on Lake Florida and wintered in Mesa, Arizona. They sold their home on Lake Florida and moved to Willmar where they lived for 17 years. He was a member of the Lions Club as well as a lifetime member of the Clara City American Legion. He served as a volunteer for the Clara City fire department. He was a deacon at Immanuel Lutheran Church and was very active in the church and community. He enjoyed all sports, as well as hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, and golfing. He aspired to being a coach and was able to fulfill that dream by being a boys basketball coach for the 5th and 6th grade. He was a mechanic and handy man and no job was too big for him. His family remembers him as a loving father, husband, grandfather, provider and mentor. Vernon was there to help and attend all of his family’s activities. We remember mostly that he loved his family.
Surviving are his children, Pat Aunoien of New London; Mike (and Nancy) Fritz of Willmar; Debra (and Curt) Bevers of DeForest, Wisconsin; Janet Frogner of Mahtomedi and Kris (and Galen) Seehusen of Willmar; 13 grandchildren, Steven (Julie) Aalfs, Stacey (Mark) Zondervan, Brett (Sharon) Aalfs, Heather (Kim) Spence, Allison (Derek) Salzman, Jordan (Jeremiah) Fredrickson, Lane (Kimberley) Bevers, Justin (Jayme) and Amanda (Nick) Frogner, Katie (Ben) Darval and Matt (Megan) Seehusen, Jeremy (Janel) Timm and Ryan Timm and 13 great grandchildren as well as 2 great great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife Helen, parents and his siblings.
On March 31, 1945 He was united in marriage to Helen A. Kamstra in Fredericksburg, Virginia. After being discharged from the service in 1946, they made their home in Clara City where he worked with his brother Marvin. In 1949, after Marvin’s death he acquired Fritz Trucking and Livestock and hauled freight coast to coast for Variety Supply Company. After his retirement in 1987, he and Helen made their home on Lake Florida and wintered in Mesa, Arizona. They sold their home on Lake Florida and moved to Willmar where they lived for 17 years. He was a member of the Lions Club as well as a lifetime member of the Clara City American Legion. He served as a volunteer for the Clara City fire department. He was a deacon at Immanuel Lutheran Church and was very active in the church and community. He enjoyed all sports, as well as hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, and golfing. He aspired to being a coach and was able to fulfill that dream by being a boys basketball coach for the 5th and 6th grade. He was a mechanic and handy man and no job was too big for him. His family remembers him as a loving father, husband, grandfather, provider and mentor. Vernon was there to help and attend all of his family’s activities. We remember mostly that he loved his family.
Surviving are his children, Pat Aunoien of New London; Mike (and Nancy) Fritz of Willmar; Debra (and Curt) Bevers of DeForest, Wisconsin; Janet Frogner of Mahtomedi and Kris (and Galen) Seehusen of Willmar; 13 grandchildren, Steven (Julie) Aalfs, Stacey (Mark) Zondervan, Brett (Sharon) Aalfs, Heather (Kim) Spence, Allison (Derek) Salzman, Jordan (Jeremiah) Fredrickson, Lane (Kimberley) Bevers, Justin (Jayme) and Amanda (Nick) Frogner, Katie (Ben) Darval and Matt (Megan) Seehusen, Jeremy (Janel) Timm and Ryan Timm and 13 great grandchildren as well as 2 great great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife Helen, parents and his siblings.
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