Joseph Jerry Fritz

MASON CITY: Joseph Jerry Fritz, 77, of Mason City, died Monday, May 11, 2015 at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit after a short illness. A funeral mass will be held 10:30 AM Friday, May 15, 2015 at Epiphany Parish Holy Family Catholic Church, 714 N. Adams with Rev. Rod Allers, celebrant. Interment will be in Elmwood St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 PM Thursday at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue. A scriptural wake service will be held at 7:00 PM. Memorials may be directed to the Jerry Fritz Memorial Fund. Jerry was born October 6, 1937 in Mason City the son of Joseph M. and Florence O. (Willier) Fritz. He went to Freeman Country School, Monroe Middle School and Mason City High School graduating in 1955. He attended World-Wide College of Auctioneering in Mason City. He lived with his parents North of Mason City, milking cows and farming until his marriage to Bonnie (Hebel) Fritz (1964 to 1999). Three children were born from their union; Julie A. Olson, James J. and Jay P. Fritz. He farmed his father’s land and some rented land, purchasing his first farm South of Plymouth in 1965. In 1986, Jerry and Bonnie opened River City Grain to the public as a Federal and State Grain Warehouse. The elevator was sold in 1992 and he focused his energy on farming and running his bulldozer. He continued farming, his passion, with his son Jay, up until his death. Jerry enjoyed a yearly trip to California and Montana with his son Jay. He spent enjoyable times at Breitbach’s in Balltown, Iowa and the Clay County Fair in Spencer with friends Donella Kline, Bones, Lu Jaspers and Linus Brincks. Jerry was a member of Epiphany Parish Holy Family Catholic Church and the Elks Lodge in Charles City. Jerry will be sadly missed by his children, Julie Olson and Jay Fritz both of Mason City; grandchildren, Taylor Nuehring and fiancée Jake Stille of Rockwell, Josie Fritz of Plymouth; sister, Jo Ann Burns (Chuck Martens) of Clear Lake; nephews, Todd (Marcee) Burns of Clear Lake and Rob (Theresa) Burns of Coralville; special friend, Donella Kline of St. Ansgar. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Florence; son, James J. Fritz.