James E. "Jim" Fritz

James E. “Jim” Fritz, age 81 of Faribault, MN passed away on Saturday, June 14, 2025 at the Allina Health Faribault Medical Center following a sudden illness.

James Ellwood, the son of Ellwood and Dorothy (Parnall) Fritz was born on September 2, 1943 in Faribault. He attended Faribault Senior High School and then served in the U.S. Navy until he was honorably discharged in 1963. On February 8, 1964 he was united in marriage to Patricia Casby at St. Dominic’s Catholic Church in Northfield, MN. Jim first worked for his Dad at his business, Fritz Produce Transit and then for Gopher Shooter Supply Company. Jim then joined the Faribault Fire Department and had a 20 year career as a fire fighter. While working for the fire department Jim also drove truck for McDonough Trucking and continued driving in retirement. He accumulated over one million miles over the road in his driving career.

Jim loved his family and loved life in general. Christmas was a special time for Jim and he enjoyed making it special for others. For 25 years, Jim and Patti attended the Buddy Holly Festival as they enjoyed his music and rock and roll music of the 50’s along with dancing. Jim was also a lifetime member of the MSRA and enjoyed hot rods and classic cars. Jim liked to cook and cooked many times at the fire department for the other fire fighters.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Patti Fritz of Faribault, MN; by his children, Barb (Fran) Davies of Faribault, MN and their three children, Luke and his children, Cameron and Poppy, Mason (Hannah) and Annie (Juan) Isiordia and their children, Lillian, Leo and Lincoln; Andrea (Scott) Toombs of Big Lake, MN and their two children, Alexander and Justin (Alexandra) and their son Wes; Jim (Connie) Fritz of Faribault, MN and their three children, Jacob, Devon and Madison (Joshua Portwood) and their son Brixton; Allicia (Mike) Garceau of St. Cloud, MN and their children, Sarah, Cole (Ryver), Sean, Brady, John, Nathan and Zac (Ashley); by the mother of Cameron and Poppy, Ashley Galvin; by his siblings, Patti (Steve) Kispert of South Carolina, and David Fritz of Seattle, WA; by his sisters-in-law, Carolyn Fritz and Gretchen Curtiss, both of Faribault and by nieces, nephews and other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, grandson, Nicholas Fritz and his brothers, Tom and Mike Fritz.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at the Divine Mercy Catholic Church in Faribault. Interment will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, MN.

Visitation will be held at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home & Crematory of Faribault on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. and at the church on Wednesday for one hour prior to services.

The family prefers that memorials be directed to Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis in memory of Jim.