Agnes Magdelin Fritz

Agnes Magdelin Fritz, 89, died June 1, 2009.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Wendal and Veronica Mervak of Smock, Pennsylvania. Her husband of 52 years, Everett Fritz, died in December of 1999. After his death, she moved from the family farm in Oskaloosa, Kansas, where they had lived since 1972, to Shawnee, Kansas, to be closer to her children. She was also preceded in death by her son Lawrence Fritz in December of 1978. His death was the greatest sorrow of her life. Agnes raised 11 children with the greatest of care and long, enduring hours of unconditional selfless love.

She was an Army nurse with the 27th General Hospital Unit in World War II and served in the South Pacific Theatre. She was a member of the American Legion. Following World War II she worked as a registered nurse at Providence Hospital in Kansas City, Kansas while her husband attended law school at UMKC. Together they built a close family unit that is preserved today in their honor. She was an extraordinary woman with boundless love for church and family. She was active in her children’s schools, participating in the school board, PTO and heading many fund raisers for Sacred Heart Catholic School in Kansas City, Kansas. In recent years she was a member of St. Joseph Church in Shawnee, Kansas, where she was recognized as an ardent supporter attending daily devotion until her health would no longer permit her to do so. She prayed a daily rosary until her final day. She instilled this love of God in each and every one of her children. She not only cared for the physical well-being of her children but, their spiritual life as well. All who knew her admired the strength, perseverance and dedication to her family and those she loved. She was an example to all of them and was their moral compass when they were in need.

Agnes is survived by 10 of her children: Joyce Morgan (Marty) of Leavenworth, Kansas, James Fritz of Douglas, Kansas, Jerry (Barbara) Fritz of Wichita, Kansas, Janet Veilhauer (James) of Shawnee, Kansas, Everett Fritz (Sandy) of Peoria, Illinois, Gene (Cathy) Fritz of Olathe, Kansas, John Fritz, of the home, Mark (Beth) Fritz of Tonganoxie, Kansas, Terry (Mary Alice) Fritz of Wichita, Kansas, and Thomas (JoDee) Fritz of Tuscon, Arizona. She is also survived by one sister, Helen Cruddas of Santa Cruz, California. She leaves as her legacy her family of 29 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren. May she rest in the hands of God. Amen.

Agnes requests memorial offerings to the Kansas City Hospice House, 12000 Wornall Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64145, or to The Sister Servants of Mary, 900 N. 18th Street, Kansas City, Kansas 66102.

Visitation and Funeral Services

A visitation will be Friday, June 5, 2009, from 9:30-11 a.m., at Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church at 71st and Metcalf in Overland Park. A Mass of Christian burial will follow at 11 a.m. Burial will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 6, 2009, at the Fairview Cemetery in Oskaloosa, Kansas.