Bobie Fritz

PRINCETON — Bobie Franklyn Fritz Sr., 91, of Princeton passed away peacefully Monday, Aug. 29, 2016, at his home surrounded by his family.

Bob was born Aug. 17, 1925, in Walnut to Arthur and Mary (Wangelin) Fritz. He married Marggie Lou Fundell on Feb. 25, 1944, in Lacon.

He was a previous member of the Princeton Elks Club and Moose Club, and current Farm Bureau member.

As a young man, Bob cared for his parents and worked on the family farm. He met the love of his life, Marggie, at the Bureau County Fair ferris wheel. The two fell in love and were soon married and starting a family.

Bob was an entrepreneur. In the late 40’s he started Fritz Coal — a coal hauling business, and built his family's first home in 1950. He was a very hard working, focused, motivated businessman. His spare time was spent with Marggie and their three daughters. There was a lot of card playing, fishing, playing ball and spending birthdays and holidays with extended family.

In the 60’s he started Fritz Construction & Excavation. He began building residential apartments/homes, commercial buildings and working for the city with his excavating equipment. Bob and Marggie worked side by side as they built their business. They began growing their family with four more daughters. In the 70’s a son was born, making a total of eight children. Bob renamed his business Fritz & Son Construction. He also went back to the work that made him the happiest — farming.

Bob and Marggie spent their days raising their family and working hard at the same time. Bob would come home from work and sit in his recliner as his kids would rush to his chair to undo and remove his boots, roll up his pants, pull up his socks and roll his pants back down. Then they sat on his lap to watch him play a little Solitaire to relax. He enjoyed fishing trips to Canada with friends, hosting game feeds, spending family vacation on Lake Wisconsin and playing 3-card. He smelled of Old Spice on date nights with Marggie. Now his youngest children were growing up, getting married and having more grandchildren for him to love. Most Sundays were spent at Bob and Marggie’s house for family dinner. The entire family would gather together for birthdays and holidays. Life was good.

Bob was a son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, friend, neighbor, farmer, contractor, entrepreneur, ambitious, dedicated, stubborn, colleague, mentor, teacher, advocate — Patriarch.

On June 26, 2008, Bob lost his beloved Marggie — his best friend, his right hand — the love of his life.

“In all the world, there is no heart for me like yours. In all the world, there is no love for you like mine” — Maya Angelou

Surviving are six daughters, Judy (Art) Bland, Ginger Kitterman, Lezlie (Tom) Fisher, Lisa (Edward) Young, Lori Fritz and Letty Fritz, and one son, Bobie (Sarah) Fritz Jr., all of Princeton; one son-in-Law, Doug Albright; his  grandchildren, Margo (Bland) Cartwright, Michelle (Bland) Mosier, Bobby Kitterman, Todd Kitterman, Cory Kitterman, Bridget (Albright) Gualandi, Tina (Albright) Klingenberg, Amanda (Fisher) Alm, Kyle Fisher, Sydney (Young) Markham, Morgan Young, Eliza Young, Alyssa White, Maya White, Ian Fritz, Ryan Camp, Haley Fritz and Levi Fritz; and 21 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Marggie Lou (Fundell) Fritz; a daughter, Dixie Albright; two grandchildren, Monica Bland and Tylor Fisher; a son-in-law, Robert Kitterman; and two great-grandchildren, Michael and Scott Kitterman.

Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 3, at the Garland Funeral Home in Walnut. Services will immediately follow with Pastor Ray Lail officiating. Bob will be laid to rest in the Oakland Cemetery in Princeton.

Online condolences may be left at www.garlandfuneralhome.com.