Lorin Fritsch

Lorin John Fritsch, son of Edo Cornelius and Wilhelmina Christina (Eilers) Fritsch, was born August 25, 1922 at Sterling, Nebraska. He was baptized September 3, 1922 at St. John?s Lutheran Church in Sterling, and confirmed at the same church on April 5, 1936. Lorin attended Sterling Public Schools and graduated from high school there.

During World War II, Lorin served in the United States Navy. After his honorable discharge he returned to the Sterling area to farm.

On February 9, 1947 Lorin was united in marriage to Esther R. Ehmen at St. John?s Lutheran in Sterling. They made their first home on the family farm near Sterling, and would be blessed with four daughters: Vicki, Connie, Lauren, and Cara.

In 1961 Lorin retired from farming and purchased a feed business in Auburn, Nebraska and moved his family to Auburn. He operated the business for many years until selling it and becoming a rural mail carrier.

Lorin and Esther became members of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Auburn, and Lorin served on the church council and in other capacities. He also was on the Auburn City Council, and belonged to the VFW, Elks Club, and was a 60 year member of the American Legion. Lorin enjoyed boating, playing cards, and Husker football. Most of all, though, he loved following his kids and grandkids activities, and when he was able would travel to watch them.

After Esther?s passing in November of 2002, Lorin continued to live in their home in Auburn for several months. He eventually got an apartment in Auburn, and in August 2009 he became a resident of the Good Samaritan Society-Auburn. While there, Lorin enjoyed visits from family and friends and made friends with many of the residents.

On Sunday, February 19, 2012, with family around him, Lorin passed away at Good Sam at the age of 89 years, 5 months, and 25 days. He was the last of a long line of Eilers cousins.

Lorin is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law, Vicki and Gary Patterson of Lincoln; Connie and Dan Collin of Elkhorn; Lauren and John Hewitt of Omaha; Cara and Randy Simpson of Fairbury; grandchildren Sara and husband Chad Johnson, Jim Patterson, Nate and wife Jody Patterson, Luke and wife Katie Collin, Shannon Collin and fiance Brent Dunkel, Mark, Grant and Sam Hewitt, Bryce Simpson and fiance Hannah Genrich, Blake, Trey, Amy, and Trent Simpson; great-grandchildren Cole and Annabelle Johnson, Haily, Katie and Emily Patterson and Wyatt Simpson; sisters- and brothers-in-law Frieda Rathe of Tecumseh, NE; Welma Voelk of Shawnee, KS; Joan Hestermann of Lincoln, NE; Merlin and Colleen Ehmen of Fairmont, NE; Bill and Janice Ehmen of Sterling, NE; good friend Ralph Peters of Auburn; nieces, nephews and other relatives and many friends.

Funeral services were held at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Auburn on Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 10:30 a.m., officiated by Pastor Ken Miller. Edith Schlange was organist for congregational hymns. Jim Patterson, Nate Patterson, Luke Collin, Mark Hewitt, Grant Hewitt, Sam Hewitt, Bryce Simpson, Blake Simpson, Trey Simpson, and Trent Simpson served as Pallbearers. Sara Johnson, Shannon Collin, and Amy Simpson served as Honorary Pallbearers. Burial followed in the St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery with Graveside Military Honors provided by American Legion Post #23 of Auburn and Navy Military Honors Team.