Dorothy Marie Fritz

Dorothy Marie Fritz, 97, of Longmont, CO passed away July 18, 2011 at The Vistas in Longmont. She was born on January 4, 1914 in Eaton, Colorado to Henry and Susanna (Tregoning) Kahler. She grew up on a farm three miles east of Eaton with five siblings. As early as the age of five, Dorothy and her older sister, Ethel would ride in a horse and buggy three miles to town to school by themselves. She graduated from Eaton High School in 1932. Senior school days were spent going to dances at Warnoco dance hall or trips to the mountains with close friends to listen to the "big bands” in Estes Park, CO. She went on to study at Parks Business College in Denver and lived with a family to nanny their children. She met and married Joseph E. Fritz at Eaton Methodist Church in 1937. Their son, Joseph Dennis Fritz was born in 1939 and jobs were becoming few in CO, so they packed up and moved to CA in 1941, living in Enice, Gardena, and Torrance, CA. Dorothy was a homemaker and spent most of her life taking care of their two children Dennis and Sharon Kaye. She enjoyed oil painting, stained glass, sewing, knitting, crocheting, ceramics, playing the piano and cards. She also liked traveling, dancing and entertaining. The most important thing for her was to be close with her family and friends. Dorothy felt very lucky to have known both sets of her grandparents. Dorothy moved to Westminster, CO in 1996 to be close to her daughter. Dorothy is survived by her daughter, Sharon Kaye Castle-Bills of Frederick, CO; grandchildren, Kathryn (Riki) Terada, Elizabeth Fritz, Dean Fritz, Jason Fritz, Christina Castle, Cynthia Bruntz and Clifton Castle; 12 great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph E. Fritz; son, Joseph Dennis Fritz; sisters, Ethel Greene, Joy Kahler and Donna Pape; brothers, Cecil Kahler and Donovan Kahler; and great grandson, Austin Bruntz. A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Monday, July 25, 2011 at Longs Peak United Methodist Church, 1421 Elmhurst Drive, Longmont, CO 80503. With viewing one hour prior to service followed by a private family interment. Memorial contributions may be made to "Ronald McDonald House” in care of Adamson Funeral & Cremation Services, 2000 47th Avenue, Greeley, Co 80634.