LaVerne Fritz

May 5, 1943 - January 3, 2025

     LaVerne Wayne (Verne) Fritz, 81, passed away January 3, 2025 while in the hospital, surrounded by his entire family.

   There will be services and burial at Ft. Logan National Cemetery at a later date, and services in his hometown of Marshalltown, IA, in mid-June.

     Verne was born on May 16, 1943, at his family home on Union Street in Marshalltown, IA. Growing up there, he attended Palmer and Glick Elementary Schools, Central Junior High, and graduated from Marshalltown Senior High in 1961.

     He enlisted in the Air Force November 16, 1961.  Verne served at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX, as a medical corpsman. His tour of duty ended on November 15, 1965, with an honorable discharge.

     He returned to Marshalltown where he worked at Fisher Controls.  On March 25, 1967, Verne was united in marriage with Carol Ann Gregory in Newton, IA.   Verne & his wife then moved to Cedar Rapids, IA, in 1968 where he worked at FMC-Link Belt. In 1978, the family moved to Westminster, CO.  Verne retired from Coors Brewery after 20 years in August of 2000.

     Verne was happiest when he was helping people.  He enjoyed any type of car racing, loved NASCAR.  He loved to hunt and fish, traveling all over the USA in his RV.  He loved going to all his grandchildrens’ sports games, but most of all, he loved his family. 

     Verne is survived by his wife, Carol A. (Gregory) Fritz, his daughter, Connie M. (Fritz) Mattson, his son, Brian W. Fritz, his 5 grandchildren: Morgan T. Fritz, Heather S.A. Montoya, Sydney P. Fritz, Austin Vye, and Zachary D. Mattson.  Verne was also a very proud Great-Grandfather-to-be.Verne was preceded in death by his parents, Martin C. and Annabel (Shaffer) Fritz; 3 brothers, Charles E. Fritz, Larry M. Fritz, and Gary A. Fritz; 1 sister, Marilyn (Fritz) Tordoff.

     Verne will be laid to rest at Ft. Logan National Cemetery in Denver, CO, at a time and date to be announced later.   In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to be made in Verne’s name to the Ft. Logan Christmas Wreaths Across America. https://wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/185730