Joe C. Fritz, 91
July 25, 1924 - Jan. 1, 2016
After a long and fulfilling life, Joe, at the age of 91, went to join his wife (of 65 years) JoAnne (English) Fritz and their son, Joseph, in heaven on Jan. 1, 2016.
Joe was born July 25, 1924, to Stephen and Mary (Grundhauser) Fritz on the family farm near Lefor, N.D. He graduated from Lefor High School (the first of 11 siblings to do so) in 1942.
He joined General Patton’s 3rd Army in France during World War II. They fought across France and then into Germany. After Germany’s surrender, Joe was sent back to the U.S. and was then to head to Japan. But with the surrender of Japan, he was then discharged. Truly one of America’s greatest generations.
Joe was married to JoAnne English in Wallace, Idaho, on May 16, 1948. They lived in Richland, Wash.; on a dairy farm near Deer Park, Wash.; motel/gas station/store in Spokane, Wash.; and dairy farms near Post Falls, Idaho, before settling in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, in 1961. He was a member of the Eagles for more than 50 years and worked as manager of the Coeur d’Alene Eagles until his retirement in 1976.
Joe and JoAnne raised four children and enjoyed their time dancing at the Eagles. He enjoyed polka dancing, playing poker, horse racing, playing the stock market, gardening and spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Joe is survived by his sons, Michael J. (Kathy) Fritz of Rathdrum, Idaho; Ron J. (Peggy) Fritz of Spokane; daughters Connemara of Santa Barbara, Calif., and Jeanne M. (Joseph Lee) DuPont of Hayden, Idaho; five grandchildren, Ryan (Lex) Fritz, Kelly (Mary) Fritz, Michelle Fritz, Jon (Kylie) DuPont and Nicole DuPont; four great-grandchildren Kyle, Kate, Klaire and Gwendolyn; his brother, Wilfred (Willie) Fritz; and numerous cousins, nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Stephen and Mary Fritz; his wife, JoAnne (English) Fritz; son Joseph; brothers Steve, Nick, Tony and Carl Fritz; and sisters Eva Darin, Helen Kuhn, Ann Schneider, Betty Deardorff and Marie Schuhrke.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016, at Yates Funeral Homes, Hayden Chapel, 373 E. Hayden Ave, Hayden, with a reception to follow. Joe will be laid to rest at 2 p.m. at Coeur d’Alene Memorial Gardens.
Thank you to Life Care Coeur d’Alene and Generations Assisted Living for your compassionate care of our Dad in his last months. Memorial contributions may be made to Coeur d’Alene Food Bank or the local Meals on Wheels. Please visit Joe’s online memorial and sign his guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.