Barbola Funeral Chapel

Loren D. Fritz

Loren Dale Fritz, 80, of Waupaca, was called by his Heavenly Father to his eternal home quickly on Sunday, September 3, 2023, after battling cancer.

Loren was born to Paul and Mrytle Witt Fritz, the fourth of five children—Leonard, Kenneth, Lois, and Dennis—on May 30, 1943, in Omaha, Neb. God clothed him in Christ’s righteousness and adopted him to be part of his family of believers through the water and Word of Baptism at Garden of Gethsemane, in Omaha, Neb.

Upon graduation from North High in Omaha where he played second base in baseball, Loren attended the University of Omaha for one year before going to Colorado State University to complete a degree in wildlife biology specializing in waterfowl. After completing that degree, he went to Bethany Lutheran College to receive his pre-seminary training. In 1973, he graduated from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary and God began his pastoral ministry at St. James, Prairie Du Sac, WI. While there, he started St. Andrews, in Middleton, WI and served Christ Lutheran, in rural Baraboo, WI. During his public ministry, God continued to use Loren to proclaim the Good News of the Savior at Trinity Lutheran and St. John’s both in Cornell, WI; Messiah, Killeen, TX; Beautiful Savior, College Station, TX; Our Savior, Harrisonville, MO; and Immanuel, in Waupaca, WI. In 2015, he retired from the fulltime pastoral ministry but stayed active guest preaching.

While serving in Prairie Du Sac, Loren met Claudette Fahrenkamp and God bound them in marriage on June 19, 1977. God blessed them with three daughters—Rachel, Kayme (James), and Naomi—and a son—Paul (Kayley).

Loren enjoyed experiencing God’s creation through hiking, hunting, and fishing and activities where he could connect with others such as playing cards, games, and watching sports, especially the Nebraska Cornhuskers. He enjoyed traveling to see his five grandchildren—Rhiannon, Rowan, and Caleb Henkel & Abilene and Beulah Fritz and to visit different baseball stadiums to watch the Kansas City Royals. In retirement, he developed a passion for Bridge.

A Christian funeral service of thanksgiving and comfort will be held on Friday, September 8, 11:00AM at St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Fremont, WI. Visitation will precede the service from 9:00AM until the time of the service. A committal will take place immediately following the service at East Bloomfield Cemetery. Memorials can be given to the WELS Campus Ministry which was one of Loren’s favorite ministries and richly benefitted all of his children. Soli Deo Gloria, To God Be the Glory. Anyone wishing to send a sympathy card to the family, please mail to Loren Fritz, c/o Barbola-Hempel Funeral Chapel, PO Box 201, Poy Sippi, WI 54967.