Obituary for Donald Peter Fritz
FRITZ
Donald Peter Fritz passed away peacefully on October 16th, 2019 at his ‘home’ at Seasons Encore at the age of 87. Although optimum health was not his to enjoy for the past 9 years, his death came quickly. He was born on December 11, 1931 in Shaunavon, Saskatchewan the only child to Ina (nee Martinen) and Peter Fritz. He attended school in Shaunavon, St. Theresa’s in Medicine Hat and completed two years of engineering at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon in. He began his work life as a surveyor and spent some time in the Queen Charlotte Islands. He met the love of his life, Sheila McPherson and they were married in 1959 in Sheila’s home town of Wawota, Saskatchewan. They spent their early years in Calgary, where Kathy, Ronn and Karen were all born, and then began the life of moving around being employed by Shell Canada. Heather was born while the family was in Estevan, Saskatchewan and Krista in Olds. Don loved fishing, camping, reading, travelling, challenging others, and all types of creating from building homes to theatre sets. While Don enjoyed his work with Shell, he was happy to retire at the age of 55 and embrace a short time consulting. His love of music took him to join the church choir, where he made some very special friendships and memories. This then led to an amazing few years in musical theatre where he embraced the characters he played with joy, commitment and enthusiasm. Throughout his life he demonstrated his commitment to his family and community. He offered his time and energy in service to a variety of ways including Olds Kiwanis, Olds Municipal Library, Town of Olds Councillor, parish council at St. Stephens, where he was involved in the building of the new Catholic Church. He will be remembered for his quick wit, creative vision, community leadership, his acting and singing voice and love of family. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife Sheila; 5 children daughter Kathy (Al) Kemmere and their children son Dan (Jana), daughters Ashleigh (Rich) McDonald , Chelsea (Jesse) Burge; son Ronn Fritz and his sons Gus and Anders; Karen (Mark) Cresswell and their daughters Anna and Lauren; Heather (Ben) Venneman and their daughters Breana, Meghan and Kaitlyn; Krista (Neil) Barclay and their children Graham and Meredith; 7 great- grandchildren and a host of friends. He was predeceased by his father in 1963 and his mom in 2013. Funeral services will be held on Monday October 21, 2019 at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church at 11:00 a.m. with Father Nilo Macapinlac celebrant. Private family interment to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Olds & District Hospice Society. Heartland Funeral Services Ltd., Olds entrusted with arrangements. 403-507-8610 www.heartlandfuneralservices.com
Donald Peter Fritz passed away peacefully on October 16th, 2019 at his ‘home’ at Seasons Encore at the age of 87. Although optimum health was not his to enjoy for the past 9 years, his death came quickly. He was born on December 11, 1931 in Shaunavon, Saskatchewan the only child to Ina (nee Martinen) and Peter Fritz. He attended school in Shaunavon, St. Theresa’s in Medicine Hat and completed two years of engineering at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon in. He began his work life as a surveyor and spent some time in the Queen Charlotte Islands. He met the love of his life, Sheila McPherson and they were married in 1959 in Sheila’s home town of Wawota, Saskatchewan. They spent their early years in Calgary, where Kathy, Ronn and Karen were all born, and then began the life of moving around being employed by Shell Canada. Heather was born while the family was in Estevan, Saskatchewan and Krista in Olds. Don loved fishing, camping, reading, travelling, challenging others, and all types of creating from building homes to theatre sets. While Don enjoyed his work with Shell, he was happy to retire at the age of 55 and embrace a short time consulting. His love of music took him to join the church choir, where he made some very special friendships and memories. This then led to an amazing few years in musical theatre where he embraced the characters he played with joy, commitment and enthusiasm. Throughout his life he demonstrated his commitment to his family and community. He offered his time and energy in service to a variety of ways including Olds Kiwanis, Olds Municipal Library, Town of Olds Councillor, parish council at St. Stephens, where he was involved in the building of the new Catholic Church. He will be remembered for his quick wit, creative vision, community leadership, his acting and singing voice and love of family. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife Sheila; 5 children daughter Kathy (Al) Kemmere and their children son Dan (Jana), daughters Ashleigh (Rich) McDonald , Chelsea (Jesse) Burge; son Ronn Fritz and his sons Gus and Anders; Karen (Mark) Cresswell and their daughters Anna and Lauren; Heather (Ben) Venneman and their daughters Breana, Meghan and Kaitlyn; Krista (Neil) Barclay and their children Graham and Meredith; 7 great- grandchildren and a host of friends. He was predeceased by his father in 1963 and his mom in 2013. Funeral services will be held on Monday October 21, 2019 at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church at 11:00 a.m. with Father Nilo Macapinlac celebrant. Private family interment to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Olds & District Hospice Society. Heartland Funeral Services Ltd., Olds entrusted with arrangements. 403-507-8610 www.heartlandfuneralservices.com