Fritsche

Melvin Carl Fritsche of Winchester peacefully entered the gates of Heaven, surrounded by his loving family, on Friday, Nov. 11, 2016, after suffering injuries while working around his home. Melvin was very independent and refused to let his 91 years limit his activities, and his family is comforted knowing that he was still doing his chores, despite many pleas from the family not to. Funeral services for Melvin Carl Fritsche, 91, of Winchester, were held on Monday, Nov. 14, 2016 at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church in Winchester. Burial followed in the church cemetery. Melvin Carl Fritsche was born on April 14, 1925 in Winchester, the son of Carl and Lillie, nee Nakunz. He was preceded in death by his parents; Carl and Lillie Fritsche and his brother, Stanley Fritsche. Melvin is survived by his wife, Marian Karisch Fritsche of Winchester; his daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Bill Friedrich of Austin, his daughter and son-in-law, Elaine and Lonnie Lehmann of Austin; his daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Paul Miller of Austin; his sister, Eleanor Mutschink of Smithville; his brother and sister-in-law, Ivan and Nancy Fritsche of Bastrop; his sister-in-law, Carolyn Fritsche of La Grange; his nine grandchildren and their spouses, Keith and Taylor Burba, Robert and Desiree Burba, Katie and Mike Stephens, John Friedrich and finance Jenna, Jeff and Jacqueline Lehmann, Craig Lehmann, Stephanie and Eric Sawyer, Troy and Andrea Miller and Wade Miller; his step grandson, Bryan and Lina Miller; and great-grandchildren, Madison, Will, and Georgia Burba, Caroline Stephens, Lauren and Shelby Lehmann, Logan Miller and Brody and Karma Miller. He is also survived by his brothers-in- law and sisters-in-law, Lera and James Ephraim, Morgan and Delores Karisch and Gladys Karisch and numerous nieces and nephews and their families. Serving as pallbearers were Melvin’s grandsons, Keith Burba, Robert Burba, John Friedrich, Mike Stephens, Jeff Lehmann, Craig Lehmann, Eric Sawyer, Troy Miller, Wade Miller and Bryan Miller. Melvin spent his entire life in Winchester, farming and ranching on the Fritsche farm. He grew up in the days of horse drawn buggies, Model-T cars and where plowing the field meant hooking up a team of horses to a hand steered plow. In Melvin’s later farming life he enjoyed plowing with a high powered tractor with air conditioning. Melvin attended school at St Michael’s Lutheran School, where all of his daughters later attended. As a youngster Melvin spent time riding horses and bicycles and fishing on the Colorado River which was in his backyard. He played baseball and tennis. One of Melvin’s favorite things was cars. He was very interested when anyone bought a new car. If someone would listen he would tell them the make, model, color and who bought the first cars in Winchester. Melvin was very proud of his service to his country in WWII serving in the US Army as a Tech.5 in the Headquarter Detachments Military Intelligence Service Center, Germany from 1945-1947 where he was a courier, driver for General Eisenhower and, since hewas fluent in German, he was an interpreter. After WWII he returned to Winchester and married his sweetheart, Marian Karisch, at St. Michael’s Lutheran in Winchester on Jan. 30, 1949, one of the snowiest days in a long time. He and Marian made their home on the farm on which Melvin was raised in Winchester. Melvin and his dad built the house where he and Marian raised their three girls and which they occupied during their entire 68 years of marriage. Melvin was very active in his church serving St Michael’s as a Sunday School teacher, president of the congregation, finance board, cemetery board member and Walther League Councilor. He also was active in his community serving as a 4H Club leader and active Farm Bureau member serving as President of the Fayette County Farm Bureau, his service resulting in the installation of railroad safety signals. Melvin loved his family and was happiest when he was around his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, but above all he loved the Lord. The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to St. Michael’s Lutheran Church Winchester General Fund or Cemetery Fund or the charity of one’s choice. Phillips and Luckey Funeral Home in Giddings was in charge of arrangements.