Greeley Tribune Greeley, Colorado 08-28-2007 Edward Henry "Swede" Fritzler July 20, 1925 - Aug. 25, 2007 Age: 82 Residence: Brush, formerly of Greeley. Tribute: Mr. Fritzler was born to Henry and Molly (Schneider) Fritzler in Windsor. He was the youngest of 12 children. The Fritzlers farmed and raised cattle in the Windsor and Eaton area, to which they immigrated in 1912 from the Volga River region in Russia. Mr. Fritzler attended schools in Severance and Windsor, graduating in 1943 from Windsor High School. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in January 1944 and received his initial training at Rockland College in Kansas City, Mo. and then at Lake Field in Phoenix. Mr. Fritzler completed his pre-flight instruction at Lackland Air Force Base and Randolph Air Force Base, now the San Antonio Aviation Cadet Center in Texas. He was discharged as an Aviation Cadet on Nov. 8, 1945. Mr. Fritzler attended the University of Colorado at Boulder where he studied engineering. He transferred after one year to Greeley where he changed his studies to education. On Nov. 10, 1949, he married Erma Jean Haase of Topeka, Kan. He met her while they were both attending classes at Colorado State College of Education, now known as the University of Northern Colorado. They both were pursuing degrees in teacher education. Mr. Fritzler completed his bachelor of arts in education in 1949. For two years, he taught math and science and coached sports at Sunflower High School in Mitchell, Neb. After he left teaching, he joined Warren-Bunting Ford, later Eaton Ford, where he worked until his retirement in 1984. As a salesman of light trucks and cars in Eaton, Mr. Fritzler came to know many of the area farm families, in which he retained a lively interest. He completed the Dale Carnegie Course, and while with Eaton Ford, received recognition for his outstanding sales performance. He was a 12 year member of Ford's Society of Professional Sales Counselors. After retiring from car sales, Mr. Fritzler earned his Realtor's license and worked with Wheeler Realty Company. While semi-retired, he also was employed in the dairy industry and worked at the Ironquois Dairy near Fort Collins. Mr. Fritzler was an avid golfer and a member of the Senior Golf Association at Highland Hills. He also played recreation league basketball. He was a member of the Greeley Elks Club BPOE and the Greeley Chamber of Commerce. Both Mr. and Mrs. Fritzler were members of the First Congregational Church in Greeley, which they joined when moving to the city in 1957. The Fritzlers moved to Greeley from a farm in Severance and lived in the same house on 23rd Avenue for 43 years. A skilled woodworker who built furniture and enjoyed wood crafts, he added a free-standing workshop in the 1970s to the back lot of the family home in Alles Acres. Mr. Fritzler took particular pride, after his retirement, in maintaining the lawn, trees, and shrubs on the acreage. The Fritzlers enjoyed social dancing and were appreciative enthusiasts of Glenn Miller's Big Band orchestra, polka dancing and the music of the 1940s and '50s. He had been a resident of Sunset Manor Assisted Living Center in Brush. He previously lived in residential care facilities in Fort Collins. Mr. Fritzler died Saturday in Brush after a weeklong illness. Survivors: Two daughters, Gretchen Wheeler of Fort Collins and Dr. Marilyn Fritzler of Denver and Wheatridge; a son and his wife, Richard and Kendra Fritzler of Greeley; three sisters, Alma Schlothauer of Poway, Calif., Mollie Wilson and Elnora Shewmaker, both of Arvada; one brother, Carl Fritzler of Greeley; and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by: His wife of 49 years; four sisters, Esther Friend, Anna Weber, Frieda Asmus and Mary Fritzler; two brothers, Augustus "Gus" and Henry "Hank" Fritzler; a grandson, Jason Daniel Wheeler. Services: 2 p.m. Friday at First Congregational Church. Visitation: 4-7 p.m. Wednesday at Allnutt Funeral Service Macy Chapel. Cremation. Notes: In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the National Alzheimer's Association, Heart Fund, American Cancer Society or charity of choice in care of Allnutt, 702 13th St., Greeley 80631. Friends may view the online obit, sign the guestbook and send condolences at www.allnutt.com. *********************************************************************** Elaine McDowell http://www.ancestrylocator.com A site set up to help find your ancestors by using the forum or gallery. Come join in, and it is a free site.