Janet Mary Strabala Fritz

Janet Mary Strabala Fritz

Brighton

Janet Mary Strabala Fritz, 83, passed away peacefully at her home on February 2, 2023. She was born in Iowa City, Iowa to Victor Martin and Clara Mary Metz Strabala on April 9, 1939, attended Sharon #6 school of rural Johnson County and graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Riverside, Iowa. After graduation, she worked in the office of the University of Iowa’s Department of Orthopedics and at several part-time jobs in Iowa City.

On April 25, 1959 she married Sylvester E. Fritz of Brighton at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Hills. They lived in the Brighton area, moving to their farm south of Brighton in 1960 where they have remained since. Janet and Sylvester were married 63 years.

In addition to being a homemaker and farm wife, Janet was involved in many church and community activities. For 35 years, she worked on the election board for Walnut and Penn Townships. She was a life-long member of Ss. Joseph and Cabrini Catholic Parish in East Pleasant Plain, serving on the Parish Council which included one term as president. She also served as president of the Altar & Rosary Society, was on the parish Finance Council, a religion teacher and member of the church’s RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) group for many years. Whenever her help was needed, you could rely on Janet to bring food and help cook meals for the parish.

Janet loved children, especially babies. She got involved with the Parent-Teachers Group of the Pleasant Plain Elementary School while her children attended there, serving one term as president. After her children were older, she would help other families in the area by babysitting their children.

Janet enjoyed sewing and took great pride in her projects for her family as well as charitable organizations. She made dresses and shorts for children in Haiti and donated many homemade blankets for local families in need.

She is survived by her husband, Sylvester, her children Jeanette (Dennis) Corpman of Hills, Janice Bobmanuel of Katy, TX, Victor (Angela) Fritz of Brighton, Joyce Fritz of Marion, Katherine (Chris) Fray of Little Rock, AR, Paul Fritz of Brighton, and Carol Mills of Kalona. Additionally, she is survived by her 12 grandchildren:\, Jonathan (Sarah) and Jordan (Ashley) Corpman; Loliya, Ambi, and Ekine Bobmanuel; Brianna, Susan, Thomas, Mary, John and Hanna Fritz and Allison (Zach) Davis; 4 great-grandchildren, Siena and Caiden Corpman; Eleanor and Clare Davis; and also by her siblings Regina Strabala of Davenport, Kevin Strabala of Kalona, Sheila (Sam) Gerot of Riverside, Victor (Julie) Strabala of Oxford, Lenore (Gus) Manrique of Iowa City.

Janet was preceded in death by her parents, brother Martin, son-in-law Mike Mills, sisters-in-law Margaret Strabala and Joan Strabala. and granddaughter Sarah Mary Corpman.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10 A.M. Thursday, February 9, 2023, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in East Pleasant Plain with Rev. Damian Ilokaba officiating. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery. A Rosary will be held at 3:30 P.M. Wednesday, February 8, 2023, at the church, followed with visitation until 7 P.M. The family invites you to make a donation to St Joseph Church, St. Joseph Cemetery Association or to the Brighton Volunteer Fire Fighters Association in Janet’s honor in place of sending flowers. These gifts may be left at the church or mailed to the family at 1173 Spruce, Brighton, IA 52540. The family wishes to thank Hospice Compassus for their care and support during this difficult time. Gould Funeral Home of Brighton is in charge of arrangements.-