Larry William Fritz, son of Lester and Doretta Winter Fritz, was born November 16, 1943, at West Union, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hawkeye. He attended school in West Union and graduated from Sumner High School in 1961.

Larry was united in marriage with Vyonne “Bonnie” Peterman on April 28, 1963, at St. John Lutheran Church in Sumner. A longtime employee of John Deere & Company, Larry retired in 1993. In retirement, Larry and Bonnie managed Eagle Lake Resort in Minnesota for 15 years.

Larry’s death occurred suddenly on Thursday, September 23, 2010, at his home in Sumner. He was 66 years old and a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Sumner. He served many years on the Sumner Volunteer Fire Department, serving two years as chief, and also served on the Community Memorial Hospital Board of Directors.

He enjoyed fishing and running the resort, grandchildren’s ball games, spending time with Raydyn “Smurf”, trips to the casino, coffee time at Nabby’s shop, riding his John Deere Gator, playing cards, and a Calvert’s at happy hour.

In addition to his wife, Bonnie of Sumner, he is survived by one son, Timothy (Melinda) Fritz of Sumner; one daughter, Tammy (Kevin) Kasemeier of Sumner; five grandchildren, Danielle (Nathan) Fink, Tyler Kasemeier, Larissa Fritz, Laken Fritz, and Levi Fritz; one great granddaughter, Raydyn Fink; his mother, Doretta Johnson of Sumner; one brother, Allen (Karen) Fritz of Waterloo; two nieces, Tracey (Joe) Boyle and Angela (Erich) McHone; and great nieces and nephews, Samantha, Benjamin, Harley, Dalton, and Jocelyn.

He was preceded in death by his father, Lester, and two step fathers, Oscar Gutenecht and Theron Johnson.

Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, September 27, 2010, at St. John Lutheran Church in Sumner with Rev. Dayna Winke officiating. Friends may call from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., Sunday, September 26, 2010, at Becker-Milnes Funeral Home in Sumner and for one hour preceding services at the church on Monday. Interment will be at St. John Lutheran Cemetery in Sumner. The family suggests that memorials may be made in Larry’s name to either the Sumner Volunteer Fire Department or St. John Lutheran Church.