Gladys Fritz

Gladys Marie Kaechler Fritz, beloved family woman, died peacefully at home on Thursday, December 13, 2018 to be once again with her husband, Milton Fritz, of 65 years.

Born into a working-class family in Prairie Hill, TX., on April 16, 1935, during the Great Depression, to Willie and Renata (Weighat) Kaechler. She was baptized into the community of Prairie Hill on May 19, 1935 at St. John Lutheran Church of Prairie Hill. When her father, Willie, got a job at the Brenham Ice House he moved his small family into town where Gladys began attending St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church where she was later confirmed on April 2, 1950.

Gladys met her lifetime sweetheart, Milton Fritz, playing baseball for Sandy Hill. Milton and Gladys started dating when she was a freshman at Brenham High School. Milton and Gladys married on May 30, 1953, at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Brenham, and they began raising a family together.

Gladys was a devoted family woman and wife. She was known for her warmth, soft hands and voice, and baking skills. She was extremely proud of her life with Milton and their five children, twelve grandchildren, two step grandchildren, eight grandchildren-in-law, 26 great-grandchildren, one great-grandson-in-law, and three step great-grandchildren. She was extremely proud to meet and hold her first great-great-grandson, whom she immediately started to call ‘pumpkin’, and was excited in soon becoming a great-great-grandmother for the second time at the end of December 2018.

Gladys is preceded in death by her husband Milton Fritz, her parents Willie and Renata (Weighat) Kaechler, her brother Wilber Fred Kaechler, parents-in-law Albert and Edna (Lorenz) Fritz; son Douglas Fritz; son-in-law James Abel; and nephew David Raska.

Gladys is survived by her two sons: Michael and his wife, Marie; Christopher and his wife, Sharron; two daughters: Carolyn and her husband Leroy Batts Sr.; Judy Abel; and daughter-in-law Kathy Fritz.

She is also survived by her sister-in-law Florine Raska and three nephews and two nieces-in-law.

The family would like to thank the kind staff of AMA Home Healthcare, and especially Rena Johnson Burns, her caregiver these past few years.

Visitation with the family will be held Monday, December 17, 2018 from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. at Memorial Oaks Chapel in Brenham. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, December 18, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Brenham. Following the burial at Prairie Lea Cemetery, there will be a reception at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to the Washington County Emergency Medical Services at 1875 US290 Brenham, TX 77833, and St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church and Day School of Brenham.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 W. Main St., Brenham, TX 77833, 979-836-4564. To post a tribute to the family, visit www.memorialoakschapel.com.

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