Dale J. Fritz

KALONA ? Dale John Fritz, 89, of Washington, formerly of Kalona, died Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, in the United Presbyterian Home in Washington.

A celebration of life will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 15, at Shiloh, rural Kalona. Inurnment will be held at a later date. A memorial fund has been established. Peterseim Funeral Home of Kalona is assisting the family with arrangements.

Mr. Fritz was born Nov. 18, 1927, in Henry County, the son of Lawrence and Anna (Wagler) Fritz. He married Nina Lavely in 1955. She preceded him in death in November 1956 after the birth of twin daughters. He later married Bonnie Jean (West) Adams on May 31, 1968, in Washington.

He moved with his family to Washington in 1935. As a child he sold newspapers and magazines, and mowed lawns. He attended Washington High School through 10th grade, when he went to work for Milwaukee Railroad. He joined the Army in 1951, and received a hardship discharge in 1952 following his father?s death. He was employed by Cargill Inc. from 1956-74, and also owned and operated Fritz Sanitation from 1974-80. He worked for Nisly Sawmill near Kalona from 1980-87. He and his wife Bonnie moved to Maui, Hawaii, on Oct. 28, 1987, where they lived until July 31, 2001. He worked for Haiku Landscape Corp. and Island Plant Co., and also worked independently in landscaping maintenance. After returning to Kalona in 2001, he volunteered in the grounds department for 10 years at Shiloh Church, where he, along with his wife, was a member.

Surviving are his wife Bonnie; two daughters, Bonnie Nisly and husband Simon of Kalona, and Connie York and husband Dale of Mandan, North Dakota; one stepdaughter, Becky Schuler and husband Larry of North Las Vegas, Nevada; two spiritual children; nine grandchildren; two spiritual grandchildren; five sisters, Gladys Dayton of Kalona, Lidvil Hart of Kalona, Lorene Gilchrist of Washington, Marlene Fritz of Washington, and Betty Kuntz of Dallas, Texas; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Nina; one brother, Clifford; two sisters, Lucille Fritz, and Darlene Gaines; and one spiritual granddaughter.