Ben C. Frietsche

Ben C. Frietsche said his last goodbyes Sunday afternoon, August 10, 2014. He was born in New Blaine, AR, January 22, 1927, the son of Adolf and Elizabeth Fritsche. He proudly served in the U.S. Air Force in Germany with the occupying forces at the conclusion of World War II. Following his military service he moved to Fort Smith and became a successful entrepreneur of several businesses, lastly as a co-founder of Delta Construction Company. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt and fish. During his retirement, he volunteered his time with several organizations including St. Edwards Hospital. He enjoyed starting many mornings by meeting his good friends for coffee.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Ann (Walbe), three children, Rick (Maryann) of Winona, MN, Janis (John) Brizzolara of Little Rock, and Melinda (Larry) Box of St. Petersburg, FL, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Joe (Mildred) Fritsche and many nieces and nephews and brothers and sisters-in-law.

He was preceded in death by his sisters Marie Anhalt and Rose Koch, and his brother George Fritsche.

The family requests that donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 539 Lane Avenue Memphis, TN 38105 in lieu of flowers.

Visitation and Rosary will be held at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, August, 13 at Fentress Mortuary. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, August 14 at Christ the King Church in Fort Smith followed by burial at the National Cemetery in Fort Smith at 12:00 p.m.

Pallbearers will be Zachary Box, Dickie Spahn, Curtis Walbe, Gary Fritsche, Nick Borengasser, Ken Fritsche.