Lenhart Fritzen, 97, of rural Beatrice passed away on April 13, 2024 surrounded by his family at the Journey House in Lincoln. He was born on November 10, 1926 at Beatrice and attended Logan Center Country School.   He married Helen Leners on February 8, 1948 at the American Lutheran Church of Filley and they lived in the Filley and Virginia area.   He served in the U.S. Army from 1945 - 1946 in the Pacific Theatre.  He was a member of the American Lutheran Church of Filley and had served on the Council and the Trust Fund Committee.  He was also a member of the Rockford, Virginia and Southeast Co-op Boards, Sherman Township Board for 20 years, Rockford School Board and Elevator Board, Virginia, Post #367 of the American Legion of Virginia, where he had served as Commander and Vice Commander.

 

                Survivors include his two daughters, Susan (Dan) Vrbka of Eagle and Beverly (Mike) Spang of Cortland; two sons, Duane (Judy) Fritzen of Filley and Stanley (Denise) Fritzen of Beatrice; 11 grandchildren, Shelly (Joe) Steffensmeier, Derek (Alycia) Fritzen, Ashley (Andrew) Peterson, Chris  Vrbka, Adam (Heather) Vrbka, Jennifer (Ethan) Heusinkvelt, Jared (Tyra) Spang, Blake (Jeanina) Darby, Brandon (Jessica) Darby, Jake (Becky) Vrbka, and Stacy Yslas; 23 great-grandchildren; brother, LaVern (Irene) Fritzen; brother-in-law, Ronald (Betty) Leners; nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Lammert and Bertha Fritzen; wife, Helen (2022); parents-in-law, John and Dora Leners; infant great-grandsons, Carter and Owen Vrbka; sisters, Angeline (Walter) Johnson, Marie (Jack) Stevens; brothers, Johann Fritzen, Tobias (Clara) Fritzen, John (Bernice) Fritzen, and Raymond (Joyce) Fritzen; brothers-in-law, Freddie Roschewski and Herman Williams, who was killed in WWII.

 

                Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, April 19, 2024 at the American Lutheran Church of Filley with Pastor Jonathan Jensen officiating. A family prayer service will be held at 10:15 on Friday at the church.  Burial will be in the Filley Cemetery of Filley with military rites conducted by the Nebraska Army National Guard and Fisher Post # 367 of the Virginia American Legion. The body will lie in state on Thursday from 9:00 A.M. until 8:00 P.M. with the family greeting relatives and friends from 5:30 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. at the funeral home.  A memorial has been established to the family for future designation with Mike and Traci Baehr in charge. www.foxfuneralhome.net  Arrangements entrusted to Fox Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Beatrice.