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Edward “Ed” A. Fritsch

Apr 25, 1922 - May 03, 2020

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Edward A. Fritsch, 98, entered into his peaceful eternal rest on Sunday, May 3, 2020.  He was born on April 25, 1922 to Herman and Melitta (Reimer) Fritsch in Sheboygan.

Ed had been in hospice care since November, and somehow found his last bit of energy to enjoy a 98th Birthday Parade in his honor just eight days ago, complete with newspaper and TV coverage.

He graduated from Sheboygan Central High School in 1939, and after high school, Ed enlisted into the US Army during World War II, serving in battles in Italy during 1944-1945.  He was awarded a Purple Heart for combat injuries. On April 19, 1951, Ed was united in marriage to Lois A. Radke, until her death on December 18, 2004.

Ed was employed at Sheboygan Glass for several years until he began a 28-year career as a US Post Office mail carrier until 1986. He met many life-long friends throughout the years on his daily mail route. Ed was a long-time member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, serving as an usher for many years. Ed received many awards and accomplishments throughout his life, even in his later years.

Ed was a Classic league bowler, horseshoe player, and dartball player. He competed in the ABC National Bowling Tournaments throughout the USA for many years, and Ed and Lois enjoyed these “vacations” with friends. He was inducted into the Sheboygan Bowling Hall of Fame in 1999.  Ed competed in many horseshoe leagues and won the Class H Wisconsin State Tournament in 1984.  Ed was a member of the Good Shepherd Falcons dartball team for many years.

Ed enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, “puttering around” on the family farmland, closely following the Green Bay Packers and St. Louis Cardinals (who combined to win 24 championships during Ed’s lifetime), eating and socializing at Bill’s Corner Café, attending Sheboygan A’s baseball games with his son Tom (he was named their Fan of the Year in 2008), watching FOX News, and supporting Sheboygan Lutheran High School.

For his service in the Army, Ed was able to go on a Stars and Stripes WWII Honor Flight to Washington DC in November 2010 to view the WWII Memorial and other sites. This was a very unforgettable event for Ed, one that evoked many memories from over 65 years before.

In March 2013, at age 90, Ed was named the 15th member of the Green Bay Packers Fan Hall of Fame at Lambeau Field.  That was a major event in his life, and his entire family attended this wonderful occasion.  He received a tremendous amount support, publicity and accolades from all over the United States and beyond with this honor. His wife’s family had season tickets since the mid-1950’s, and Ed attended many, many games at City Field and Lambeau Field.  In his acceptance speech, he turned to Mark Murphy and thanked the Packers organization for the honor and said, “I’ve had a great life”.

 

Ed, you did have a great life, and now you have entered into eternal rest absent all the recent pain and suffering.

 

Ed is survived by his son Tom Fritsch, Sheboygan, and his daughter Cindy (Randy) Pfister. Green Bay.  He is further survived by 2 grandchildren, Ryan (Jessica) Pfister, Neenah, and Kelly (Ray) Siler, Readstown.  Ed had 7 great grandchildren, Jack Klundt, Owen Klundt, Elsy Pfister, Rhys Pfister, Hadley Siler, Willow Siler, and Rio Siler. He is also survived by a brother-in-law James Radke, Green Bay, nephew Dan (Karen) Fritsch, Oconomowoc, and many very wonderful friends, including Janine and Helen Bergeron. Special thanks to Cindy, who helped with Dad’s caretaking since July, and Aurora Hospice for their compassionate care.

He was preceded in death by his wife Lois, an infant son Randall Edward, his brother Harold Fritsch, and sister Mildred Fritsch.  Ed always found the time to attend many, many funerals throughout his long life to pay tribute to those who passed before him.

 

A visitation for family and friends will be held on Thursday, May 7, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1624 S. 23rd Street, Sheboygan. A burial will take place at Lutheran Cemetery, with Rev. Christian Gugel officiating.  (Due to current health concerns, only ten visitors at a time will be allowed in the church for visitation.)

 

Cards of expression and memorials in Ed’s name may be sent to the Reinbold-Novak Funeral Home, 1535 S. 12th Street, Sheboygan, WI 53081. Online condolences may be expressed at www.reinboldfh.com

Visitation

Date: Thursday May 7, 2020
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Location: Good Shepherd Lutheran Church [map]

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Guestbook Entries SIGN GUESTBOOK

Kyle F. Kaker

Sorry to hear of your father's passing. Apparently we are relatives. We share the same great-grandfather. My grandfather was William; he passed away in the early 1950's before I met him. My mother, Lillian Fritsch Kaker, often spoke of her Uncle Herman, in fact, I met Herman once when I was about 10 yo. I know my mother was very close with your Uncle Harold. As a young child in Sheboygan, we visited Uncle Harold every Christmas Eve at his gas station on Calumet Drive -- when I got home, Santa Claus just left. I missed the old elf every year, like clockwork. Anyway, best wishes to your family. I think your dad is the last of that generation. My mom passed away in 2018, at 89, from complications of Alzheimer's. She was the last from William's line: Alice, Lillian and Freddie. -- Kyle and Alice Kaker, Williamsburg, VA.

Larry Schneider

Family of Ed, my Sincere Sympathy to you with your loss. I first met Ed in the late 70’s as I was assigned as a Firefighter to the Fire Station on Lincoln and 10th Street. Ed while on his mail route would stop in and eat his lunch at the station. What a prince of a guy! We had great conversations, and I only wish I had know at that time of his military time while in WWII. No doubt he would of had a it’s of stories to tell. I was fortunate enough to get to see Ed at a couple of the A’s baseball games where we reminisced about the Ole’ Fire Station 4. Ed, a Great Man whom I and others will dearly miss. RIP. Larry

Sue Giles

May the many treasured memories that your dad left behind, give you comfort at this time and always. Sincerely, Sue Giles

Brian & Teri Meyer

Our condolences on the passing of Ed Fritsch. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone,

Jamie Berlin

Tom, so sorry for your loss. I will always remember you and your dad coming in to have chicken on Sundays. My prayers are with you and your family.