Robert Fritz

Robert “Bob” Eugene Fritz was born on February 28, 1939, to William and Wilma (Gerdes) Fritz at the family home in Kossuth County, near Titonka, Iowa. Since he was young, Bob has been surrounded by livestock. During his youth, Bob was involved in raising and showing sheep with the local 4-H and FFA and spent countless hours playing in the barn. He enjoyed playing football and riding his horse, Midnight. He also started the first FFA program in Titonka. Bob was baptized and confirmed at Good Hope Lutheran Church in Titonka. He graduated from Titonka High School in 1957 and continued his education by attending college at South Dakota State in Brookings, South Dakota. In 1962, Bob graduated college with a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science, and in 1967, with a master’s degree in Meat Science. On December 22, 1962, while living in Brookings for his schooling, Bob was united in marriage to the love of his life, Laurie Lee Drake. Together the couple raised two daughters, Denise and Malissa. From 1966 until 1976, Bob and Laurie lived in Albert Lea, Minnesota, while Bob worked in various leadership roles at Wilson’s Packing Plant. In 1976, the couple moved and put down roots in Pipestone, Minnesota. Bob’s greatest passion was helping farmers and youth reach their goals and, thus, worked as a University of Minnesota Extension Agent for 32 years. After retirement, he continued educating at Minnesota West, sold insurance with American United Life and worked at Hog Slats. On August 11, 2009, Laurie preceded Bob in death. Bob passed away on Sunday, February 23, 2025, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, at the age of 85 years, 11 months and 25 days. 

Bob was a long-time member of First Lutheran Church in Pipestone, Minnesota, serving on the church council for decades, along with serving as head usher, helping with maintenance and upkeep, and supporting church youth. Bob was a strong supporter of Pipestone’s 4-H and FFA programs. He was also involved with the Minnesota Farm Bureau and various other agricultural organizations across the state and country. He coordinated several livestock shows, judging competitions and would commonly be found in a livestock show ring at Minnesota State Fair volunteering. Bob was known for raising sheep, goats, cattle and hogs and never missed one of his grandchildren’s events.

He took great pride in his livestock and even more pride in his family. He enjoyed collecting pocket knives, bullet pencils and coins. In his free time, Bob would hunt with the Drake family, show and attend livestock shows and watch rodeos. Bob will be remembered for his room filling laugh, megawatt smile and his many one-liners such as “We come from good stock,” and “I know my sheep and my sheep know me.” Bob made an incredible impact on Pipestone’s livestock community and the lives of many. 

Bob is lovingly remembered by his daughters, Denise (Randy) Solma of Pipestone, Minnesota, and Malissa (Ken) Schentzel of Farmington, Minnesota; grandchildren, Zoey (fiance, John Petersen) Schentzel, MaKenna Schentzel and Brayden Schentzel; siblings, Virginia (Jim) Spalding of Burleson, Texas, Linda Bluhm of Burnsville, Minnesota, Diane Fritz of Titonka, Iowa, Jim Fritz of Eureka, California, and Don Fritz of Britt, Iowa; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Robert (Pam) Drake of Watertown, South Dakota, William Drake of Revillo, South Dakota, Thomas (Chen) Drake of Brandon, South Dakota, Lisa (Dennis) DeKraai of Arlington, South Dakota, Kerrill (Joe) Morrison of Armour, South Dakota, and Kay (Herb) Shadewald of Brookings, South Dakota; and fiance, Karen Tadesse. He was preceded in death by his wife, Laurie Fritz; parents, William and Wilma Fritz; parents-in-law, Theodore and LaRayne Drake; and brothers, Dennis, Richard, and Arnold “Bill” Fritz.