Thelma Lorraine Fritsch

Thelma Lorraine Fritsch, the daughter of Issac Charles and Anna Marie Elizabeth Buthweg Merk, was born February 11, 1917, at her grandmothers home in rural Audubon County, Iowa and died April 1, 2008 at the Audubon County Memorial Hospital in Audubon, Iowa at the age of 91 years, 1 month, and 20 days.
Thelma was baptized by Pastor Schultz at the Lutheran Church in Omaha, NE. She attended rural school in Audubon County, IA then graduated from the Audubon High School with the Class of 1934. She then attended Business School in Omaha. She lived in Omaha and was employed at the Omaha Crockery.
In 1942, she was united in marriage to Lawrence Fritsch in Grand Island, NE. Two sons Richard and Terry were born to this union. Thelma was a homemaker for several years. She returned to the work force and was employed as a receptionist for Dun and Bradstreet for over 30 years. During weekends and holidays Thelma was employed as a switchboard operator at Clarkson Hospital for over 25 years. Thelma retired and moved to Audubon, IA where she helped care for her mother. Thelma enjoyed her home until she moved to the Friendship Home in 2007.
Preceding her in death were her daughter-in-law Betsy Fritsch; her parents; her nephew Gordon Andersen; her brothers-in-law: Alfred Andersen and Homer Mendenhall.
Survivors include her sons: Richard and Kathryn Fritsch of Pisgah, IA and Terry Fritsch of Omaha, NE; her grandchildren: Scott Fritsch of Omaha, NE; Jeni Sidzyik of Omaha; Kristi and Jason Rowe of Carter Lake, IA; Kati and Jon Engle of Omaha; Kelly Fritsch of Vancouver, WA; Stephanie and Martin Fassero of Virginia; Terry Fritsch, Jr. of Omaha; and Jamie Fritsch of Omaha; 15 great-grandchildren; her sisters: Ollivene Mendenhall of Audubon and Elinor Ellis Andersen of Ft. Myers, FL; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Cemetery:
Interment will be in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Audubon.

Visitation:
The family will meet friends Thursday evening from 6:00 until 8:00 at the Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon.

Service:
Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Dwayne Ferguson on Friday, April 4, 2008 at 2:00 P.M. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon, IA.