Winfred Alvin Fritz

Visitation: Thursday May 29, 2008 from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Circle, Montana

Funeral service: Friday May 30, 2008 at 11:00 A.M. at the First Lutheran Church in Circle, Montana

Interment: A private family burial will take place at a later date.

Winfred Winnie Alvin Fritz, 77, of Circle Montana passed away Friday May 23, 2008 in Miles City Montana.

Winfred Alvin Fritz was born on April 11, 1931 to Alvin and Elsie (Volpp) Fritz. Winnie was the ninth of fifteen children. He was raised and went to school in the Circle area. He worked for many of the local farmers and ranchers during his teens. Winnie was in the United States Army from 1952 until 1954 serving in Germany. Winnie married Kae Ardene Hudiburgh in 1961. They lived in the country until 1969 when they moved to Circle. Four children were born to this union, Larry, Cheri, Garry, and Wesley.

While living in Circle, Winnie worked at the P.V. Elevator, Farmers Union Elevator, Eissinger Equipment and then the McCone County Nursing Home. When he quit working at the Nursing Home, he again worked for local farmers and ranchers. In his spare time he would shear sheep. He always had a small flock of sheep that were his real love. He could stand outside for hours and watch them. The past two years he had been semi-retired due to health reasons. He had sold the last of his sheep earlier this year.

Winnie is survived by his loving wife, Kae Fritz of Circle, MT; two sons: Larry (Missy) Fritz of Billings, MT and Wesley Fritz of Great Falls, MT; one daughter: Cheri (David) Weidner of Glendive, MT; four grandchildren: Anastacia and Nathan Weidner, Taryn and Maria Fritz; brothers: Richard Fritz of Chandler Heights, AZ, Art (Glenda) Fritz of Waterloo IL, Mel Fritz of Marcus Iowa and Earl (Doline) Fritz of Brockway MT; sisters: Mildred Scott of Lewiston ID, Louise (John) Holmes of Rapid City, SD, Lucille Massin of Wrangell AK, Gladys Sukut of Klamath Falls, OR and Viola (George) Titsworth of Lincoln NE; a sister-in-law: Edna Fritz of Apple Valley, CA; and numerous nephews and nieces.

Winnie was preceded in death by; his son, Garry his parents, brothers Howard Barney, Lawrence, Avron, Ralph, and Lyle.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday May 30, 2008 at First Lutheran Church in Circle Montana, visitation will be held Thursday May 29, 2008 from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Circle Montana. A private family burial will take place at a later date. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Miles City has been entrusted with the arrangements.