OBITUARY

Eldor Melvin Fritsche

October 8, 1937 – December 30, 2020
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Eldor Melvin Fritsche

Eldor Melvin Fritsche was born on October 8, 1937 in Lincoln, Texas to Gustav & Mary (Boriack) Fritsche. He was baptized on October 17, 1937 at St. John Lutheran Church in Lincoln, Texas by Rev. Reinhard Osthoff and renewed his baptismal vows in his confirmation on April 6, 1952 at St. John Lutheran Church by Rev. H.A. Stroebel. Eldor's confirmation verse was "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth" Romans 1:16. Eldor was united in marriage to Helen Francis Schiwart on July 6, 1957 by Rev. Max Studtmann in Lincoln, Texas and then moved to Houston where they became members of Trinity Lutheran Church Downtown. In 1963 the family moved to the Spring Branch area and joined St. Mark Lutheran Church in 1966, where he and Helen have been active members ever since. After moving to Houston, Eldor worked for WKM Machine, the Spring Branch Independent School District, Cookbook Bakery and JH Walker Trucking, and in 1986 became the Facilities Supervisor at St. Mark where he faithfully served for 15 years before retiring in 2001. He also served numerous terms on the Board of Trustees and Board of Elders over the course of his 54-year membership at St. Mark.

Eldor was a loving husband and devoted father who was deeply committed to his family and worked hard to support them. In his spare time he loved to fish, play dominoes, and was the consummate do-it-yourselfer. There was nothing around the house or in the garage he could not build or repair. But above all, Eldor was known by family and friends as a man of unwavering Christian faith who lived his life with honesty, integrity, and an infectious smile that will not be forgotten.

Eldor was called to be with his Savior on Wednesday morning, December 30, 2020 at the age of 83 years, 2 months and 22 days.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Gus and Mary; three sisters, Irene Koslan and husband Gerhard, Ruth Marquardt and husband Oscar, and Edna Rabe and husband Willard; four brothers, Bill Fritsche and wife Marie, Walter Fritsche and wife Maria, Gilbert Fritsche, and Erwin Fritsche; daughter-in-law Sharon (Smith) Fritsche; and parents-in-law Ernest Schiwart, Jr. and Gertrude (Rackel) Schiwart.

Eldor is survived by his wife of 63 years, Helen Fritsche; five sons, Steve, Alan and wife Christine, Kevin and wife Sharon, Anthony and wife Julie, and Nathan and wife Annie; thirteen grandchildren, Dustin Fritsche, Chris Fritsche, Sara Perez and husband Tommy, Stephanie Gibson and husband Mike, Kyle Fritsche and wife Liz, Matthew Fritsche and wife Summer, Brett Fritsche, Jake Fritsche, Hannah Fritsche, Emily Fritsche, Nicole Fritsche, Nate Fritsche, and Natalie Fritsche; eight great grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Faye Fritsche of Emma, Missouri and Doris Fritsche of Northrup, Texas; brother-in-law Melvin Schiwart and wife Janette; and many other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Please revisit this site, where in the days to come photographs will be added to enhance this wonderful man's life story.

Due to the current COVID-19 restrictions, the visitation with family and friends has been canceled. A celebration of life service for Eldor will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 5, in the sanctuary of St. Mark Lutheran Church, 1515 Hillendahl in Houston, with The Reverend Matt Popovits officiating. A family only interment will follow at Memorial Oaks Cemetery, also in Houston.

For those desiring and in lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Eldors name would be greatly appreciated to Lutheran Hour Ministries, 660 Mason Ridge Center, St. Louis, MO, 63141, (800) 944-3450. You may also donate online at www.lhm.org or by clicking the link below.

  • PALLBEARERS

  • Kyle Fritsche
  • Brett Fritsche
  • Jake Fritsche
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  • Matthew Fritsche
  • Duane Schiwart
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Eldor Melvin Fritsche

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DIANBS Koslan

January 9, 2021

You always had a smile, on your face. Could pick up a fishing pole at a moment's notice. Loved watching your Grandkids Games." which involved mine. Everyone called you Opa. whether they knew what it meant or not. You are the best of us all. I can only hope to follow your example. Miss you already..

Joe Allen

January 5, 2021

There is a small group of people in this world who, when you are with them, somehow share their innate Grace, Goodness and Love with you and leave your heart warmer. Eldor always had that effect on me. It was impossible to know him and not want to be a better person.

We will all miss him. My love to his family. Thinking about you.

Joe Allen

Amy Lochte

January 4, 2021

Helen and I taught the youngest Sunday school children for a while
at St. Mark and that was a fun time. But Eldor was working on all the projects at St. Mark for both the church and the school.....for years. We always said hi and he was always busy walking from one part of the campus to the other. Later he helped Neal with an under the dash ac job on one of our cars when we were first married. He and Neal worked on it under their car port and had dash board parts everywhere to get the old unit out and the new one in. It worked for years until we sold the car and got a newer one. His smile was contagious and his heart and compassion showed he loved his Savior and walked the talk of his faith. He will be missed by a lot of friends and family.....heaven gained an angle.

Judith Roepe

January 4, 2021

It was always a treat to get to go to Aunt Helen and Uncle Eldor's house. I will always remember how Uncle Eldor shared his faith with everyone he met. "Well done, good and faithful servant!" Keeping Aunt Helen, Steve, Allen, Kevin, Anthony, Nathan, and their families in my prayers.
Judy Fritsche Roepe

Linda Friedrich

January 4, 2021

So sorry to hear about the passing of Eldor.

Lots of memories of him from growing up in Lincoln with my dad to being our neighbor down the street and going to St Mark church and school with the boys.

Eldor lived his life in service to his Lord and devotion to his family.

Prayers and sympathy to you all during this difficult time, especially Helen.

Marti Huseman

January 4, 2021

Eldor (and Helen) have been an example to me of faithful followers of the Lord. Eldor always had a smile and was a diligent worker among God's people at St. Mark. He and his boys would sometimes fish at my Uncle Charlie's tank in Lincoln....back in the day. I loved walking down memory lane with all the wonderful family pictures that were posted. A life well lived and rest in Jesus' arms, Eldor.

Scott Heitshusen

January 4, 2021

Such a wonderful, kind, caring, Christian man and amazing example for people to emulate. He holds my highest respect and I am so thankful that I will see him again when the Lord calls me Home. God bless Helen and all the wonderful family!

Bill Dasch

January 3, 2021

Eldor was a friend and a man of God. He was always ready to help people and could fix anything. We and some others loved to go in his Flounder Wagon to Galveston in the fall to catch flounder. We all had many stories to tell and caught a lot of fish. But my best memory is how he loved the Lord and his family. He always talked about the faith and St. Mark Lutheran Church. His family was always on his mind. He loved his boys and his wife, Helen. God bless Helen for putting up with all of us. He will be missed. May God's peace and resurrection hope be with you his family and friends now and forever! Pastor Bill

Don Emery

January 3, 2021

Growing up with Steve, I have many fond memories of Eldor. When we were older, we started playing a lot of dominoes together. I had the pleasure to learn and lose a lot of games to Eldor. Eldor will be truly missed (except by the fish) but will always be in our hearts!

Lisa Emery

January 3, 2021

Dear Fritsche Family, just looking through the amazing family photos and having known Eldor for many, many years, I know that heaven has truly gained the most amazing guy that God lovingly shared with all of us here on earth! Whether as a son, a brother, a husband, a father, a grandpa, an employee or a church member, Eldor carried out all his roles with a smile on his face and God’s love in his heart. He will truly be missed but never forgotten! May God grant you all His comfort, joy and peace...until in Christ we ALL meet again!

With love from Lisa Emery & Gerry Woelfel

FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
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Lincoln, TX Fritsche Farm House

FROM THE FAMILY

Lincoln Farm Tank Dam
Eldor and "Puppy"

FROM THE FAMILY

Lincoln Farm Tank Dam
Eldor 2012

FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY