Steven Lehrl Fritz

Steven Lehrl Fritz was born on March 19, 1948 to Lehrl and Lucile Hays Fritz. He grew up on a farm near Lynnville, Iowa and attended Grinnell High School. After graduating he attended Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity and sang tenor in the Simpson College Madrigal. Following graduation he traveled for Simpson as an admissions officer before joining Swanco Enterprises as a sales representative for Wood-Mode cabinetry. For 41 years he designed and sold kitchens & baths, later becoming President and owner of the company. He loved his job and was a natural salesman because of his delightful joy-giving spirit and outgoing personality. On November 25, 1972 he married Jane Ann Dale in Brooklyn, Iowa. To this union three children were born: Kim, Nathan and Ryan. His family was his greatest treasure. For over 40 years he enthusiastically played Santa Claus on Christmas Eve for the children in his life, sharing the magic of Christmas with a boisterous ho-ho-ho; jingle bells in hand and a twinkle in his eye. He was his childrens greatest soccer fan and was an early member of the Marshalltown Community Soccer Club Board. He loved camping, boating, snow skiing, cooking and entertaining. He especially enjoyed the family cabin in the Ozarks where he created many memories with his friends and family. He had dreams of building an elaborate treehouse there for his five grandsons. Among the things for which he will most be remembered is his bea utiful tenor voice and his love of singing. For many years he sang in the choir of the First United Methodist Church of Marshalltown where he was a popular soloist at weddings, funerals and singing Oh Holy Night on Christmas Eve. He died on May 9, 2014 in Mercy Hospital Des Moines, Iowa. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Joanne Merritt. He is survived by his wife, Jane Fritz of Marshalltown, IA; one daughter, Kim (Christian) Guenther of Marshall, MN; two sons: Nathan (Lindsey) Fritz of Kansas City, MO and Ryan (Marci) Fritz of Kansas City, MO; four grandsons: McCoy, Coby, and Cade Guenther and Dexter Fritz; one brother, Chuck (Marcie) Fritz of Waukon, IA; one brother-in-law, Roger Merritt of Kingsport, TN; multiple nieces, nephews, in-laws, and innumerable friends. Visitation to celebrate Steves life will be held at Mitchell Funeral Home Wednesday May 14th 5-8 pm, with funeral service following on May 15th, at 10:30 am First United Methodist Church, Marshalltown, IA.