Helen Viola Fritz

Helen Viola Fritz, age 97 of Wautoma died peacefully on Friday June 16, 2023, at ThedaCare-Berlin Hospital. She was born on August 18, 1925, in the town of Rushford, Winnebago County, the daughter of George and Mary Reiter. Helen attended Waukau State Grade School and graduated from Oshkosh High School. After high school she went to work at Speed Queen in Ripon and worked there before getting married and moving to Wautoma. Helen married Arnold Fritz on October 23, 1948. She started working at the Speed Queen Plant in Wautoma where she stayed until 1968. After Arnold died, Helen worked at both the Wautoma Mini Mart and Clark Station until her retirement in 1996. Helen enjoyed traveling, playing cards, dancing, and fishing. She also loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandson.

Helen is survived by her children: Donna (David Hardel) Fritz and Les (Liza) Fritz; grandchildren: Jeff (Pam) Kirk, Julie (James) Rhodes, Andrew Fritz, Peter Fritz; great grandson: Asher; sister-in-law: Carol Reiter; many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Arnold in 1974; three brothers: Joseph, Donald, and Robert Reiter; five sisters-in-law: Shirley Reiter, Irma Runnels, Ione, Marie, and Loretta Fritz; four brothers-in-law: Dorn Runnels, Norman, Lyle, and Harold Fritz.

Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11AM on Monday, June 26, 2023, at St. Joseph Catholic Church with burial at Wautoma Union Cemetery. The family will greet relatives and friends at church on Monday, June 26th from 10AM until the time of Mass at 11AM. Leikness Funeral Home, Wautoma is assisting the family with arrangements. www.wautomafuneralhome.com

The family wishes to extend a gracious thank you to the staff of ThedaCare-Berlin Hospital and Hospice for their dedication to their career, their patients, and the patient’s families. We are grateful for both their knowledge and empathy. In the 13 days Helen was cared for by the varied staff, we laughed, cried, and prayed together. Because of the ThedaCare staff, Helen’s transition to heaven was peaceful and pain-free.