Thomas Fritz

Thomas W. Fritz, age 69, of Faribault, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 26, 2011 at his home following an extended illness.     Funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 3, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at the First English Lutheran Church in Faribault with the Rev. Richard L. Jorgensen, Pastor officiating. Interment will be held at the Meadow Ridge Memorial Park with military honors provided by the Rice County Central Veterans Association.    Visitation will be held at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home & Crematory of Faribault on Wednesday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. and at the church on Thursday for one hour prior to services.    Thomas William Fritz, the son of Ellwood and Dorothy (Parnall) Fritz, was born on October 24, 1941 in Faribault. Tom attended Faribault High School and graduated with the class of 1959. Following high school Tom enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served until 1962. On April 18, 1964 he was united in marriage to Carolyn Nelson at the First English Lutheran Church in Faribault. Tom worked for many businesses in Faribault over his lifetime including, working for his father's trucking business, serving as a fireman from April 1, 1967 to May 15, 1968, selling cars at Lockwood Auto and working for and later managing Roy's Liquor. During this time Tom decided to go back to school at Mankato State University and eventually earned his Degree in Law Enforcement. Tom started his career as a Police Officer in Albert Lea, MN in 1973. He was there for a year when a position opened with the Faribault Police Department and Tom was selected to fill it. This began a 28 year career in Faribault in which he started as a Patrol Officer, was later promoted to Corporal and eventually Sergeant. Tom retired from the Police Department in 2002. During this time, Tom also sold real estate for Century 21 Realty. Most recently Tom was working at the Hy-Vee Wine & Spirits. He is a member of First English Lutheran Church, the American Legion Post 43, the Faribault Elk's Lodge, the Faribault Aerie 1460 Fraternal Order of Eagle's, the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association, the Faribault Police Benefits Association and the Southeastern MPPOA.    He is survived by his wife Carolyn Fritz of Faribault; by two daughters, Laura (Steve) Mitchell of Minneapolis, MN and Mary Fritz and fiance Steve Hazelton of San Francisco, CA; by two grandchildren, Sky and Ona Mitchell; by four siblings, James (Patti) Fritz of Faribault, Patti (Steve) Kispert of South Carolina, Michael Fritz of Faribault and David Fritz and special friend Nicole Meyers of Washington and by nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.    He was preceded in death by his parents.