Evelyn Fritz-Hoppe

With family at her side, Evelyn Fritz – Hoppe passed away peacefully while at the Hospice at Glengarda on Thursday, June 24th, 2021.  She was 87 years old.  Born in Allan, SK on August 18, 1933, she was the first-born of 10 children to pioneering farmers, Frank & Pauline Boechler.

Evelyn is survived by her 5 children Arlene (Brian) Kraft, Jan (Larry) Kraft, Wayne (Carla) Fritz, Laurie (Lyle) Unger and Terry (Joslyn) Fritz along with Bob (Debbie) Hoppe, Brenda (Bob) Steeg and Tim (Nicole) Hoppe.  Also left to honor her legacy are 12 Fritz Grandchildren and 16 Great Grandchildren as well as 7 Hoppe Grandchildren and 9 Great Grandchildren.

Here to cherish her memories as well, are her siblings Richard (Helen) Boechler, Pat (Gerald) Kenny, Jim (Patti) Boechler, Marilyn (Harold) Riecken, Jean Possberg, Dennis (Nina) Boechler and sister-in-law Barbara Senger, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Evelyn is predeceased by her husband Jack Fritz (1975) and her husband Bruno Hoppe (2002), parents FL and Pauline Boechler and siblings Beatrice, Bob (Sylvia) Boechler, Eric (Sharon) Boechler, and brother-in-law Len Possberg. She is also predeceased by Jack’s parents Joe & Helen Fritz, his siblings John (Helen) Fritz, Wendlyn (Anna) Fritz, Lydia (John) Boehm and brother in-law Elmer Senger.

Possessing an independent and adventurous spirt, mom’s early adult life began when she boarded the train to Regina, SK at age 19 to attend the all-girls college, Sacred Heart Academy & Art School. She spent a full academic year there achieving her Secretary Diploma before returning back to Allan and working at Uncle Henry’s “Wald’s Hardware Store”. Here she was frequently visited by and later courted by local farmer and carpenter Jack Fritz.

2 years later, mom and dad were married on June 8th, 1954 and hey lived on the Fritz homestead until 1964 when, happily for mom, they moved into the town of Allan.  Here, she thrived, raising a family of 5 in this small-town community setting. She loved being a part of a community and was very involved in local activities like the CWL, Glee Club, hockey rink events, quilting bees, church cleaning with her sister-in-law Barb, coffee visits and most importantly, raising her family.

When Jack passed away in ‘75, mom moved to Saskatoon to find work and quickly fell in love with the bustle and energy of the city. Through her genuine smile and positive personality, employment was easy to find; first at Woolco, and then University Hospital’s ICU and Occupational Therapy units.

Mom adored music. Attending the minus 1 dances every Saturday evening was a highlight for her and it was here that she met her long-time dance partner, Bruno.  Married in 1987, they fell into a comfortable routine of polka fests, trips to foreign lands and attending countless family events and celebrations.

After Bruno’s passing in 2002, mom found energy and enjoyment through visiting friends, Saturday mornings down at the Farmer’s Market and her weekly brunch date with her after-church Sunday morning Market Mall crew. What brought her the most joy however, was baking and cooking special dishes for her children and grandchildren.  She loved to make homemade soups, perogies and traditional German meals, of which dumfanoodla was her signature dish. To her last, mom left a beautiful legacy for us all to hold close and dear.

Many thanks go out to all the incredible caregivers throughout mom’s final journey, with a special thank you to the gentle kindness of the Hospice staff. You made her final days peaceful and dignified and our last days with her loving and serene.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 at St. Philip Neri Parish (1902 Munroe Ave. S, Saskatoon) on Friday, July 16, 2021 with Fr Ken Forster, OMI as celebrant.  Rite of Committal will follow at a later time at St. Aloysius Roman Catholic Cemetery, Allan, SK.  Arrangements in care of David Schurr – Mourning Glory Funeral Services (306) 978-5200.