Donald L. Fritz

Donald L. Fritz, age 86, passed away Saturday, August 12, 2017 at Dove Healthcare in Bloomer. He was born August 31, 1930 in Bloomer to Wilbur and Elva (Gehler) Fritz. He has spent the last 33 years with his best friend and companion Karen Olson. He was previously married to Doris Smith, they divorced in 1982. Donald was a hardworking man and was a master at fixing machines and making them work like new. He did many things in his life including farming, junking, working at a paper mill and with the carnival. After a fall down a 40 foot TV antennae in 1984, he didn’t give up but had the courage to push himself to learn how to walk again. He enjoyed farming, fishing, going to fairs watching demo derbys, and spending time with his grandchildren.

He is survived by his special companion: Karen Olson of New Auburn; one son: Donald (Janice) Fritz of Chippewa Falls; one daughter: Donna (Frank) Peterlik of Eau Claire; two brothers: William of Phoenix AZ and Eugene of Freeport IL; six sisters: Jeanette Oddo of Rockford IL, Ardis Simoens of Phoenix AZ, Alice Hardt Machesery Park IL, Linda Alexander of Machesery Park IL, Karen (Steve) Gagliardo of Eau Claire and Sharon (Al) Bieniek of Scottsdale AZ; sister-in-law: Judy Fritz of Jefferson WI; grandchildren: Donald “Will”, Daniel, Dustin and Donavan Fritz, Carl, Frank, Annie and Jerica Peterlik; step-grandchildren: Julia Bowe, Justin Bowe and Janelle (Mike) Fleming; step-great-grandchildren: Ethan and Eli Fleming; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Wilbur and Elva Fritz; brother: Paul; sisters: Helen Mae and Marjorie Lou (infant); brother-in-law: Joe Oddo

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, August 15, 2017 at 11:00 AM at Dovre Lutheran Church in Barron County. Friends may call from 4:00 – 7:00 on Monday at the Olson Funeral Home in Bloomer and one hour prior to services at the church on Tuesday.