James Fritz

A Funeral Mass for James Fritz, 89, of Belfield will be held at 1:00 p. m. , Monday, December 7, 2015 at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Dickinson, with Father Bill Ruelle celebrating. According to his wishes, cremation will take place following Mass. Visitation for Jim will be from 4:00 p. m. to 6:00 p. m. , Sunday, December 6, 2015 at Stevenson Funeral Home with a rosary & vigil service being held at 5:00 p. m. Jim passed away Tuesday, December 1, 2015 at St. Luke’s Home in Dickinson. He was born February 6, 1926, at Kate Pelissier’s home in Belfield, the youngest son of Joe and Lucy (O’Brien) Fritz. Jim began school at the Stigen School in the Gorham area before moving to Medora, and then eventually finishing and graduating school in Belfield. He enlisted in the United States Navy on November 15, 1944 at Fort Snelling, MN and was honorably discharged there on July 10, 1946. After his discharge, Jim worked several ranching/farming jobs in the Belfield area as well as Billings County. He married Donna Hafele in 1956 and to their union two children were born: Joe and Rose. They started farming and ranching on their own by purchasing the Henry Paasch ranch twelve miles south of Fryburg. Throughout his life, other than his time in the service, Jim didn’t stray very far from Billings county and the Belfield area. His passions in life were horses, ranching and his Herefords. Jim will be remembered as a cowboy who loved to tell stories. He is survived by his wife, Donna; his son, Joe (Shannon) of Beach and daughter, Rose (Wayne) Krebs of Belfield; a brother, Les Fritz of Dickinson; six grandsons: Eli (Patty) Krebs of Thompson, ND, Levi (Danielle) Krebs of New England, ND, Miles (Kristi) Krebs of West Fargo, ND, Tyler Krebs, Jade (Breann) Krebs all of New England, and Avery Krebs of West Fargo; four great-grandchildren: Faith, Colton, Garrett and Liam Krebs and two more along the way in 2016; and numerous nieces and nephews. Jim was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Henry; and two sisters, Marge Schmeling and Helen Fritz. The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame.


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Burial Date: December 7, 2015
Church Queen of Peace Catholic Church

Funeral Mass: Monday: Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Dickinson, ND