Frederick “Fritz” Luethe, 87, of Norwalk passed away Friday, May 16, 2014, at the Morrow Memorial Home in Sparta.
He was born May 7, 1927, on the family farm located outside of Norwalk, in the town of Ridgeville, to Werner and Alma (Arndt) Luethe. He married Doris Seekamp in June 1952. Together they raised their four children on the same land that Fritz was born and raised on.
Farming was Fritz’s life, and he loved it. In 1994, the farm was awarded the “century farm award,” that same year they hosted the Monroe County Dairy Breakfast. In 1973, the barn burned down. He had setbacks on the farm and accidents, but he was always able to pick himself up, dust himself off and keep going.
Fritz was baptized, confirmed and married at St. Jacob’s Evangelical Church in Norwalk. He proudly served as president of the church board for several years and enjoyed singing in the choir. He also was a member and served as chairman with the Monroe County Farm Bureau.
Fritz loved taking Doris dancing every Friday and Saturday evenings; they enjoyed traveling to Europe twice, to the Dominican Republic, and all over the United States. Trips to Green Bay Packer games were some of Fritz’s best memories. He was always ready to take a trip, go dancing or have a party. Fritz loved to have fun. Fritz will be remembered for his kind and charming smile, a twinkle in his eye and his genuine love for his whole family.
Fritz is survived by his wife of more than 60 years, Doris; his children, Mike (Cindy), Duane (fiancee Angie), Terry “Flint,” and Debbie (Steve Dutton) Olsen; his grandchildren, Melanie Adler, Jessica (Brent) Dingman, Justin (special friend, Julia Kohn) Luethe, Chrystal (Matt) Boykin, Marc, Matthew, and Thomas Luethe, Mindy and Terry Ann Luethe, Josh (Laura Lachman), Jarrett (Kelly Giese), Kyle (Cassie), Alicia, Gabrielle and Connor Olsen; 11 great-grandchildren; his nephews, David (Kim) and Ron (Aileen) Luethe; and many dear friends.
Fritz was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Erma Schaitel and Dorothy (George) Walker; and a brother, Lloyd (Shirley) Luethe.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, May 19, at St. Jacob’s Evangelical Church in Norwalk, with Pastor Matthew Minzlaff officiating. Burial will follow in the Pilgrims Home Cemetery, rural Norwalk. Family and friends are invited for visitation from 4–8 p.m. Sunday, May 18, at the Norwalk Community Center. Visitation also will be held from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the church on Monday. The Torkelson Page-Smith Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.
