Jeffrey Fritza of Carrington, ND, passed away quietly in his home, with his wife by his side, Thursday, February 16, 2017, at the age of 72.

Jeffrey Lee Fritza was born December 29, 1944, in Carrington, ND, to Albert and Emma (Broneske) Fritza. He lived in Carrington until shortly after his dad passed away, in 1959. The following year, his family moved to Underwood, ND. As a teenager, Jeff worked at Texaco Station in Underwood, and was involved in stock car racing. He also helped to build the race track there. After high school, he attended Hansen Mechanical Trade School in Fargo, ND. Later, he worked for Schaffer Ford in Underwood, and Cliff Loberg Ford in Wahpeton, ND.

Jeff married Shirley Beseman on August 28, 1965, at Lidgerwood, ND. He joined the US Army in November of 1965, and spent 14 months in Pleku, Viet Nam. He was discharged on August 11, 1967. After his discharge they moved to Carrington, where he worked at Held Motor Sales until 1974. He started Jeff’s Repair in 1974 on the farmstead where he and Shirley lived, and his brother-in-law, Leonard Beseman, worked with him for many years. He started the auto salvage part of the business in 1981, renaming it Country Salvage. Jeff continued with repairs until 1994, at which time he changed the name of the business once more, to Vintage Salvage.

Jeff spent many years working and racing at the Central Race Track in Carrington. He enjoyed rebuilding cars, racing, and going to car shows. He restored a ’60 Pontiac and a ’66 Cutless, and enjoyed taking them to shows and visiting with the people there. One of his favorite projects was a Snowcat he made out of a ’38 Chevy pickup, and he spent many hours enjoying it with his kids.

Jeff was an avid reader of newspapers, and anything with For Sale ads. He also enjoyed search and find crossword puzzles.

Jeff is survived by his wife, Shirley; his six children, Laura (Bob) Anderson, of Wahpeton, ND, Dale Fritza, of Grand Forks, ND, Patty (Ron) Brouillette, of Stephen City, VA, Mike (Denise) Fritza, of Washington, UT, Wendy Fritza, of Denver, CO, and Jeffrey Fritza, of Carrington; four grandchildren, Doug Brouillette, Cole (Brittany) Fritza, Lea (Jesse) Hunt, and Jesse Brouillette; one great-grandchild, Mariah Fritza; his sister Rose Mary (Darrell) Ringenberg, Brinsmade, ND, and many nieces and nephews.

Welcoming him to his heavenly home are his parents, Albert and Emma (Pulver) Fritza; his in-laws, Ed and Alma Beseman; his sister-in-law, Sharon (Beseman) Davis, and many aunts and uncles.

PRAYER SERVICE:

Monday (Feb. 20th) at 7PM in Evans Funeral Home, Carrington

FUNERAL SERVICE:

Grace Lutheran Church, Carrington, ND

DATE AND TIME:

Tuesday, February 21, 2017 at 10:30AM

BURIAL:

Carrington Cemetery, with Military Honors