Frieda A. Wachholz - Ritchie

           Frieda Amalia (Beutler) Wachholz-Ritchie, age 99, of Montello passed away Monday, March 20, 2017, at the Montello Care Center.  Frieda was born February 11, 1918, in the Township of Crystal Lake, Marquette County, Wisconsin, the daughter of Herman and Mary (Prochnow) Beutler.

          She married Edwin Wachholz on March 24, 1940.  Together they were blessed with five children.  The couple farmed in rural Newton Township for 28 years.  After the farm was sold, Frieda worked for Brakebush Brothers of Westfield, Berlin Chapman Foundry, and as a baker at the Pioneer Restaurant in Westfield.

          Edwin preceded her in death on September 20, 1997.  On June 20, 2001, Frieda was united in marriage with Gordon C. Ritchie.  He also preceded her in death on July 1, 2010.

          Frieda was a member of St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Montello.  In her retirement years, she enjoyed gardening and spending time with family and friends. 

          Frieda is survived by her children, Duane (Judy) Wachholz of River Falls, WI; Eugene Wachholz of Kankakee, IL; Barbara (Pete) Jones of Endeavor, WI; James (Linda) Wachholz of Montello; daughter-in-law, Judy Wachholz of Red Wing, MN;  step-daughter, Nancy Okimoto of Mililana, HI.  She is also survived by 8 grandchildren: Matthew Wachholz of Gladstone, MI, Timothy (Karen) Wachholz of Brooklyn Park, MN, Michael (Treasure) Wachholz of Goodhue, MN; Lance (Mary Ann) Wachholz of Hudson, WI, Erika Wachholz of Minneapolis, MN; Aaron Wachholz of Montello, Sarah (Daniel) Kolander of West Salem, WI,  Leah Wachholz of Montello; 5 step grandchildren, Traci Jones and Tifani Jones of Wisconsin Dells; Gary (Thea), Janice, and Kevin Okimoto all of Mililana, HI.  She is further survived by 11 great grandchildren: Camille, Jacob; Hope, Shawn; Jeffery, Megan, Steven; Joseph, Madelyn, Lucy; and Caleb; and many nephews, nieces, other relatives, and friends.

         Frieda was also preceded in death by her parents; son, John Wachholz; great grandson, Zachary Wachholz; two sisters, Anna Schrank and Agnes Krueger; two brothers, Emil and Marvin Beutler.  A funeral service for Frieda will be held on Saturday, March 25, 2017, at 11:00 a.m. at St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church, 313 East Montello St.,  in Montello.  Visitation will be held at the church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service.  Pastor Peter Zietlow will preside, and burial will follow at the Westfield East Side Cemetery.  Memorials are preferred to the Audio-Visual Ministry of St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church, Montello.

        The family thanks the staff of Montello Care Center for their many years of compassionate care of Frieda.  Please visit our website www.wachholzandsons.com to send condolences to the family.

Wachholz and Sons Funeral Home

Sunset Cremation Center in Princeton

Serving the Family, 920-295-6631

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