Vernon Russell Fritz

Vernon Russell Fritz was born on February 13, 1928, in Menlo, Iowa to Charles Otto Fritz and Marion Martha (Davis) Fritz. He grew up with his twin brother, Veryl, and his sister, Darece, on farms near Menlo, Rippey, and Grand Junction, and graduated from Rippey High School in 1945. He continued to farm with his father, Charles, north of Grand Junction after graduation. He entered the US Army in 1951, completing Leadership School and Army Officer Candidate School. He was stationed in France and Germany during the Korean War. He separated from the Army in 1954, with the rank of 1st Lieutenant. Vernon returned to farming but continued to serve in the U.S. Army Reserve, retiring with the rank of Captain. Vernon met the love of his life, Alice Faye Johnson (Haines), at the Val Air Ballroom in 1963, and the two were united in marriage on June 27, 1964, at the United Methodist Church in Jefferson. They raised their family north of Grand Junction where Vernon farmed and raised livestock until 1985 when they left the farm and moved into town. Vernon worked for Harrison RV and Schaal Oil in Jefferson, and West Central Co-Op Elevator in Scranton. He also worked with the Grand Junction Senior Citizen housing. Vernon and Alice moved to the Eastern Star Masonic Home in Boone in 2022, where Alice passed away on August 6, 2023. Vernon's health deteriorated after Alice's death, and on December 7, 2023, he passed away at the Israel Family Hospice House in Ames, Iowa. Vernon enjoyed keeping up on current events, reading, discussing politics, and reminiscing about his days in the army. He valued time spent with Alice, their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He valued his relationships with extended family. Vernon was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Grand Junction Lions Club, and Greene County Democrats. He was a Master Mason, and had been involved with Za-Ga-Zig Shriners, Eastern Star, American Legion, and the local DeMolay Chapter, as a mentor. Vernon was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Alice; his parents, Charles and Marion; twin brother, Veryl Fritz (June); sister, Darece Hummel (Don); and infant sister, Charlene Fritz. Vernon is survived by his two daughters, Pamela Davis (Rick) of Grand Junction, IA, and Paula Fritz (Lee Budesheim) of Omaha, NE; stepson Michael Johnson (Wanda) of Winterset, IA; four grandchildren: Orion Johnson (Holly Christopher), Noelle Clouse (Charlie), Erin Budesheim, and Benjamin Budesheim; four great-grandchildren: Logan Johnson, Chloe Johnson, Cheyenne Clouse, and Avery Clouse; nephews, nieces, cousins, and many friends. *A Masonic Service will be held at 1:30 pm Thursday, December 28, 2023 at the First United Methodist Church in Grand Junction followed by a Celebration of Life at 2:00 p.m. and then visitation until 4:00 p.m. Hastings Funeral Home in Jefferson is in charge of these arrangements.* Previous Events Masonic Service DEC 28. 1:30 PM (CT) First United Methodist Church ~ Grand Junction 302 S 13th Street Grand Junction, IA 50107 Celebration of Life DEC 28. 2:00 PM (CT) First United Methodist Church ~ Grand Junction 302 S 13th Street Grand Junction, IA 50107 Visitation DEC 28. 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM (CT) First United Methodist Church ~ Grand Junction 302 S 13th Street Grand Junction, IA 50107