Fritz, Lester Richard

Lester Richard Fritz, 93, died Saturday, May 4, 2013, at St. Luke's Hospital, Cedar Rapids, from injuries suffered in an ATV accident. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 8, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Urbana, with Father Ardel Barta as celebrant. Interment will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery near Urbana, with graveside military rites conducted by Ray American Legion Post 376 of Walker and the Cedar Valley Marine Corps League in Cedar Rapids. Public visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the church in Urbana.

Lester was born May 26, 1919, in Cedar Rapids, to Albert Cleveland and Anna Margaret (Ockenfels) Fritz. During World War II he served his nation in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was a member of the Ray American Legion Post 376 of Walker, Cedar Valley Marine Corps League and the VFW. Lester was honored to have been a member of the Honor Flight Program to Washington.

Lester was a farmer before his retirement.

On Feb. 23, 1952, he was united in marriage to Zelma Hein in Iowa City. She preceded him in death. He married Louise Eggerstedt Moore on Aug. 16, 1969, in Iowa City.

He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Louise Fritz of rural Walker; his daughters, Joan (Bob) Jindrich of West Branch and Marjorie (William) McVey of Galesburg, Ill.; his sons, Michael (Esmeralda) Moore of Chicago and Merrill (Carol) Moore of Vinton; 11 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and his sisters, Berniece Duello of Vinton, Dorothy Erland of Branson, Mo., Geniveve Hall of Cedar Rapids, Viola Smith of Urbana and Alberta Fabela of California.

In addition to his first wife, he was preceded in death by his son, Edwin Fritz; and his brothers, Melvin and Ronald Fritz.

A memorial fund has been established for the Honor Flight Program and the Cedar Valley Marine Corps League.

Phillips Funeral Home in Vinton is in charge of arrangements.

Condolences may be left at www.phillipsfuneralhomes.com.

Published May 6, 2013 in The Gazette