Werner H. Frietsch M.D.

Werner Henry Frietsch was born on August 21, 1924, in High Hill, Texas. He was the 8th child of 12 children born to the late Paul & Mary (Billeck) Frietsch. He attended parochial school in High Hill and later became the first student from High Hill to attend high school in Schulenburg, Texas. He graduated from Schulenburg High School in 1942 and subsequently enlisted in the U. S. Army. He was trained and served as a surgical technician with the 55th General U. S. Army Medical Hospital in the European theatre. One of his fondest memories was that of meeting & working with Dr. Alexander Fleming, the inventor of penicillin. Dr. Fleming had visited the 55th General Hospital to demonstrate the effects of penicillin in treating wounded soldiers. Dr. Frietsch was honorably discharged in 1946 with the rank of Tech Sargeant. He was awarded the World War II Victory Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and EAME Theatre Ribbon for his service.

Upon returning to Schulenburg, he married Anita Agnes Petrash on June 11, 1946. Dr. Frietsch then attended Southwest Texas State University, graduating in 1949 with a Bachelor of Science degree. He was then accepted into the Baylor University College of Medicine, graduating in 1953 with his Doctor of Medicine degree. He interned at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth. He practiced in Schulenburg and at the Outlar-Blair Clinic in Wharton, Texas, before moving to Denison in 1956 to establish a medical practice.

He practiced medicine in Denison for 48 years before retiring in 2003. He was associated with the Denison Medical & Surgical clinic and also served on the staff of the M-K-T Railroad Employees Hospital, Madonna Hospital, and was one of the founders of Memorial Hospital (later known as Texoma Medical Center). Over the years, he served the hospitals in various capacities including Chief of Staff.

Dr. Frietsch’s professional memberships included the Grayson County Medical Society, the Texas Medical Association, the Texas Academy of Family Practice, and the American Academy of Family Practice. He was awarded his Fellowship in the American Academy of Family Practice in 1977.

Having lived in the Denison area for many years, Dr. Frietsch was active in community service. He was most fond of his previous service on the Denison School Board and having served as its President. He was a long time member of the Denison Country Club having joined it in 1957 and was a former board member of the country club. He was an active member of St. Patrick Catholic Church and he was a 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus. He also served on the board of the local Red Cross chapter.

Dr. Frietsch was an avid golfer and spent much of his retirement years playing golf at the Denison Country Club. He also enjoyed traveling and fishing. He was a Dallas Cowboys fan and he always had a love of agriculture. He was also devoted to the adoration chapel at St. Patrick’s Church and spent many hours there.

Dr. Frietsch passed away on Saturday, February 11, 2012, at his home after combating pancreatic cancer for the past two years. A Rosary & Vigil Service will be held at 7:00 P.M., Monday, February 13, 2012 at St. Patrick Catholic Church. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated by Father Jeremy Myers and Father Stephen Mocio at 10:30 A.M., Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at St. Patrick Catholic Church, followed by burial at Calvary Cemetery in Denison. Pallbearers will be grandsons and nephews. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. W. H. Brown, Joe Dusek, Stan Rose, Badge Steedman, Dr. Sam Swamy, Dr. Ron Barkley and Dr. S. G. Kadekar.

Dr. Frietsch is survived by his loving wife, Anita of Denison; daughter Marsha Shock & husband David of Denison; son Carl Frietsch & wife Sarah of Denison; daughter Linda Gayle Radican & husband James of Denison; grandsons John Frietsch and Taylor Radican of Denison; Jon Shock & wife Bertha of Denison; Jamie Shock & wife Karen of Thorndale, TX; granddaughters Jennifer Radican of Garland, Holly Farrell & husband David of Royse City; great-grandchildren Alex & Kasi Shock of Denison; Riley Shock of Thorndale, TX; sister Helen Marie Steinhauser & husband of Flatonia, TX; brother Charles Frietsch & wife Mary Jo of Schulenburg, TX; brother Emil Frietsch & wife Alice of Schulenburg, TX; sister-in-law Alice Frietsch of Schulenburg, TX; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul & Mary (Billeck) Frietsch, son Thomas Frietsch, and siblings Walter, Victor, Ernestina, Edwin, Alvin, Olga, Rudy, and Vastine.

Special thanks go out to all of the nurses and staff from First Call of Dallas, Dr. Larry Barker, Dr. Ron Barkley, Dr. Glenn Young, Dr. Srinivasa Reddy, and the staff of Home Hospice of Grayson County.

Memorials are suggested to St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 314 N. Rusk, Denison, TX 75020 or Home Hospice of Grayson County, 505 W. Center, Sherman, TX 75090.

Arrangements are entrusted to Bratcher Funeral Home, 401 W. Woodard Street, Denison, TX 75020 (903) 465-2323. On line condolences may be made to the family at www.bratcherfuneralhome.com.

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