Ronald Wayne Fritz

Ronald Wayne Fritz, age 82, died peacefully Monday, July 14, 2025, at Aspirus Hospital after suffering a stroke.

Ron was born July 3, 1943, in Oshkosh, WI, to Paul and LaVerna (Henke) Fritz. He married the love of his life, Diane Bliske on Dec 23, 1961. Together they were blessed with five children, 12 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.

After a few years of moving about with their young family, they settled on a small farm west of Wautoma, WI, to raise their children near family. In 1992, they moved to Oshkosh, WI, where they resided for over thirty years before moving in 2024, to Weston, WI, to be closer to family.

Ron moved around a lot as a child, but his favorite childhood memories came from the time his family lived in Grass Range, Forest Grove, and Roy, Montana. He enjoyed sharing his love of Montana with his children and grandchildren through stories and trips back to where he had lived. He forged lasting friendships there and loved to return to help on the ranches when he could.

Ron had many jobs along the way starting early in his youth delivering papers and mowing lawns. He worked his 100 acre farm while holding a full time job as a heavy equipment mechanic and then foreman for Waushara County Hwy Dept. Later he took a job with Green Lake Redi Mix in Green Lake, WI. He commuted from Wautoma to Green Lake and then to Appleton after work to go to technical school for management which led to becoming the Winnebago County Hwy Dept Shop Superintendent. After retiring, Ron started a new adventure delivering fire trucks for Pierce Mfg. He had the time of his life delivering from east coast to west coast including Ground Zero in New York.

Ron enjoyed being Scoutmaster for Wautoma Troop 650 as his three sons went through scouting. Ron was a trustee and elder at Trinity Lutheran church in Wautoma. He was also an elder at Grace Lutheran church in Omro and recently became a member of St John Lutheran Church, Wausau, WI.

He loved God, cherished his wife and taught his family how to work hard, keep learning, and enjoy life together. He had a strong love for and special connection with each of his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Ron is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Diane Fritz, and their children, Ken (Deb) Fritz, Randy (Lisa) Fritz, Julie (Mark) Lee, Brenda (Rod) Huther, and Roger (Colette) Fritz; their grandchildren, Stephanie (Allen), Olivia, Molly, Travis (Brittney), Cody (Hannah), Jasmine, Jordan, Holly, Paul, Ryan, Roan, and Beyla, along with their great-grandchildren: Holden, Theo, Evelyn, Wesley, Finn, Elliot, Sawyer, and Eleanor.

He is further survived by his sister, Nancy (Dave) Cronce, and brother, Gene (Judy Johnson) Fritz, along with his sisters-in-law, Linda Fritz and Carol Bliske. Ron also leaves behind many special nieces, nephews, and cousins as well as extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Robert Fritz, and his parents-in-law Albert and Dorothy Bliske, as well as brothers-in-law, Jack Tyler, Bernard Bliske, and Clarence Bliske.

A visitation will be held on August 2, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, with the service to follow at St. John Lutheran Church - Town of Easton in Wausau, WI.

Ascend Funeral Home & Cremation Care of Weston is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.ascendweston.org.