Shirley I. (Mason) Fritsch

Shirley Ione Fritsch was born November 18, 1936 to Myron and Thelma (Hoot) Mason in Tecumseh, Nebraska.  She grew up on the Mason family farm 5 miles west and 1 mile north of Tecumseh.  She was baptized June 27, 1937 and confirmed March 30, 1947 at the United Methodist Church in Tecumseh.  She attended Rose Hill Country School District # 9 and graduated from Tecumseh High School in 1954.  She was honored to be crowned Johnson County Fair Queen in August of 1954. 

She met Laverne Fritsch following his military service at the ASCS Office while certifying his agland maps.  They were united in marriage on April 12, 1959 at the United Methodist Church in Tecumseh.  This union was blessed with two children, Laurie and Ronald.  Laverne passed away on October 3, 2018.

She was a hard-working farm wife working alongside her husband Laverne and also worked off the farm over the years at the Farm Service Agency. Shirley was a janitor and secretary for the Vesta Country School District #6, Superintendent Assistant for the Johnson County Rural Schools, Johnson County Ambulance Service, Administrative Assistant for the Johnson County Veterans Service Office for 19 years, Johnson County Fair Board for 23 years and participated in the Johnson County Vesta Community March of Dimes benefit for Polio, Sterling Memorial Day dinner and alumni meals for many years.  Shirley was an active member of the Tecumseh United Methodist Church until transferring her membership after her marriage to the South St. John Lutheran Church and later the St. John’s Lutheran Church in Sterling.  She loved socializing with the neighborhood ladies once a month in their Vesta Educational Club.    

Shirley enjoyed her "Jolly Aces" Pinochle Card Club, hummingbirds-wrens, doing word search puzzles, gardening, painting, shopping, raising chickens, watching Nebraska Football and Volleyball matches and following many high school games as well as spending time with her loving family. 

She passed away Monday, September 23, 2024 at the age of 87 years.  She was a loving mother, grandma, great-grandma and friend to many and will be dearly missed by all who knew her. 

Shirley is survived by her daughter Laurie Saathoff of Sterling and son Ronald (Lisa) Fritsch of rural Tecumseh, grandchildren, Julie Saathoff, Andrew (Kharisa) Saathoff and Jacob (McKenzie) Saathoff all of Sterling, Michelle (Billy) Borrenpohl and Daniel Fritsch (Sydnee) of rural Tecumseh, nine great-grandchildren, Lucas, Braely, Brock and Maelynn Saathoff, Briggs, Sawyer and Terryn Saathoff, Riley Borrenpohl and Lainee Fritsch, brother Ivan (Myrna) Mason of Auburn, sisters-in-law  Margrie Zuhlke of Sterling and Marilyn Fritsch of Centennial, CO, nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Laverne, grandson Lucas Saathoff, son-in-law Paul Saathoff, brothers, Dale Mason (Ima Gene) Eugene Mason (Ella Mae) and in-laws, Mabel (Raymond) Zink, James Zuhlke and Mervin Fritsch.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, September 27, 2024 at the Sterling Community Center in Sterling, Nebraska with Pastor Doyle Karst officiating.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with family greeting friends from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, September 26, 2024 at the Wherry Mortuary in Tecumseh, Nebraska.

Memorials may go to the family choice.

Interment will be in the Vesta Cemetery, rural Tecumseh, Nebraska.

Online condolences may be left @ www.wherrymortuary.com.

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