Obituary

Donald Earl Fritsche, Sr. was called home by his Heavenly Father on November 28, 2019 “Thanksgiving Day” at Banner Estrella Hospital in Phoenix, AZ after a brief stay on hospice.

Don was born on April 22, 1935, to Earl Fritsche and Emma Fay Fritsche in Orange, CA.  In 1953 he graduated from Lincoln High School, Los Angeles, CA. He then studied and completed courses at Mt. San Antonio College in Hydraulic Systems Design, basic engineering, and descriptive geometry.  He met the love of his life, Rose Marie Bartko, at the Free Methodist Church, in Highland Park, CA and married her in 1955.

Don loved the Lord and was never shy about sharing his faith in Jesus Christ, his Lord and Savior, God, and friend.  Don took part in planting the Free Methodist Church, in Orangevale, CA.

As he began his career Don was extremely gifted and sought out for his excellent engineering skills.  He was employed from 1953-64 by Areojet General and then went on to work for Lockheed Martin from 1965-69 in Redlands, CA.  As Don traveled for business he built a relationship with Les Fike, Sr. and accepted an offer as Chief Engineer, at Fike Metal Products beginning in 1969 located in Blue Springs, MO.  During his time there, Don also served as a deacon and member of Blue Springs Baptist Church.

He and his wife Rose Marie moved to Goodyear, AZ in 2002.  They made their new home in the PebbleCreek Community and are members of the Pebble Creek Community Church in Goodyear, AZ.

Don was creative and enjoyed woodworking with his hands.  He had a fabulous sense of humor, loved great conversation, and eating out with family and friends whom he loved and adored.  He enjoyed traveling.  Some of his most memorable vacations were to the Holy Lands, Hawaii, and Alaska.

Don is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Rose Marie Fritsche, of Goodyear, AZ;  daughter, Debi George and son-in-law, Ken of Goodyear, AZ; son Donald Earl Fritsche, Jr. of Bates City, MO; son, Randy Alan Fritsche, and daughter-in-law Martha of Lee’s Summit, MO; daughter, Lynelle Sanders and son-in-law Jim of Springfield, MO.

Surviving grandchildren include granddaughter, Lori Marchasault and her husband Doug and great-grandsons, Mason and Myles of Coventry, RI; grandson, Brandon Coats, wife, Jenn, and great-granddaughters, Averi and Addison of Roanoke, TX; granddaughter, Shauna Parks, husband, Brett, great-granddaughter Breanna and great-grandson Amos of Oak Grove, MO; granddaughter, Dustie Foster, husband, Matt, and great-granddaughters, Wilah and Vedah of Oak Grove, MO; grandson, Ethan Fritsche and wife Bree of Blue Springs, MO; grandson, Jaxon Pierce Fritsche, and granddaughter, Piper Rose Fritsche of Lake Lotawana, MO; granddaughter, Amanda Foley, husband, Stephen, great-grandson, Lincoln Noah, and great-granddaughter, Violet Mae of Lee’s Summit, MO; grandson, Zack Fritsche of Oak Grove, MO; granddaughter, Whitney Bruette, husband, Dave, great-granddaughter, Adlee Raymond and great-grandson, Gentry of Sparta, MO; grandson, Alex Sanders of Scottsdale, AZ; grandson, Brian George, great-granddaughter, Claire, and great-grandson, Cohen of Nixa, MO; grandson, Chris George, wife, Scotti, and great-grandson, Ryker of Spokane, MO, and extended family.

He was preceded in death by his father, Earl Fletcher Fritsche; his mother, Emma Fay Fritsche; uncle, Bill Broyles; aunt, Betty Broyles, Auntie Ruth Duplice, grandson Amos Fritsche, along with many other loved ones.

A gathering will begin at 1:00 pm with a Celebration of Life at 2:00 pm, Saturday, December 7, 2019, at Thompson Funeral Chapel, 926 S. Litchfield Rd., Goodyear, AZ 85338. Pastor Bob Ripley of Pebble Creek Community Church will officiate. There will be time to visit and share memories with family and friends in the foyer following the service with coffee, tea, and cookies.

A pending date for the burial of ashes will be announced for family and friends at a later date in Oak Grove, MO.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to Americare Hospice & Palliative Care, 1212 N. Spencer Street, #2, Mesa, AZ 85203 Tel: (480) 726-7773, www.americarehospice.com. Condolences for the family may be left below.