Paul John Fritze, age 85, of Minnetonka, joined his Heavenly Father on Tuesday, July 2nd, 2024 at Sholom Home West in St. Louis Park, MN.

A funeral service will be held at 12pm on Saturday, July 20th, 2024, at St John's Lutheran Church in New Ulm, MN with Pastor Jeffrey Bovee officiating. Visitation will be held from 11am-12pm, on Saturday, at the church, prior to the service. A lunch reception will be provided after the service. A private family burial will take place at St. Paul's Lutheran Cemetery in New Ulm immediately following the service. The family will return to the church to join the lunch. To leave an online condolence for his family or to sign the guest book please visit: mvfh.org

Paul John Fritze was born May 18, 1939 to Rev. Hugo and Gerda (Reuschel) Fritze in Valentine, NE, where his father founded the church and school. At age seven, the family moved to Des Moines, IA, where he attended Park Avenue Public School. Paul attended high school at Northwestern Preparatory School in Watertown, WI. During his freshman year, Paul's family moved to Norfolk, NE. Paul greatly enjoyed sports, playing football and basketball in high school. He graduated from Northwestern Preparatory school in 1957 and went on to attend Dr. Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN, where he participated in intercollegiate basketball while training to become a Lutheran elementary school teacher. While he was at DMLC, he met Charlotte Rauschke, and after graduation in 1961, he and Charlotte were married on July 23rd, 1961.

Paul's first call was to teach middle school at Trinity Lutheran School in Nicollet, MN. During that time Paul and Char were blessed with 3 sons, Stephen (1962), Scott (1964), and Timothy (1966).

The family moved to St. Louis Park, MN in 1974, where Paul was principal of Timothy Lutheran School, taught grades 6th-8th, was the Sunday School superintendent, and coached many sports. Elisabeth was born in 1980, completing their family. Paul enjoyed a close-knit friend group at Timothy, hosting and attending many get togethers during their years there. He also enjoyed playing on the church softball team in the summer, playing in the DMLC volleyball tournament, and the many special Father's Day weekends spent at Camp Croix. Paul remained a dedicated principal and teacher at Timothy until he retired in 2004 after many years of service to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, influencing countless lives along the way.

After Paul's retirement, he and Char moved to New Ulm, MN, where they purchased their first home. They made many wonderful memories over the years with family and friends who visited and stayed frequently. Paul & Char continued to travel to any and all events they could attend of their beloved grandchildren, as well as working part time jobs, the last of which Paul was handy man at their church, St. John's Lutheran. Paul continued his service as a volunteer for the Martin Luther College Archive Committee, which he immensely enjoyed, as well as part-time interim principal at St. Paul's Lutheran School, just a couple blocks from their house.

Paul's love of sports was shown by his and Char's regular attendance at sporting events at the local college just up the hill from their home and the Nebraska Cornhuskers memorabilia and clothing he collected. He, Char and family would frequently attend MN Twins games, and when he wasn't attending sporting events, he was listening to the games on the radio or watching them on TV.

After a move to Sleepy Eye in 2021, Paul and Char finally settled in Minnetonka, where he reconnected with many special old friends from his Timothy years, recently celebrating his 85th birthday.

Paul was well known everywhere he went and one could always expect him to be the last one to leave. He loved making connections and chatting with people. He was quick to welcome you with a big smile and "Hello!" He will be greatly missed.

Paul passed away peacefully at Sholom Home West in St. Louis Park, MN on July 2nd, 2024 with his loving family holding his hand and reassuring him we will all be reunited again in Heaven.

He is survived by his wife Charlotte (Rauschke); sons Scott (Jane) Fritze of Watertown, WI and Timothy (Michele) Fritze of Eden Prairie, MN; Daughter Elisabeth (Mark) Gnewuch of Milwaukee, WI; & daughter-in-law Robyn (Dan) Fritze-Buetow of Watertown, SD. 13 grandchildren, Emily, Katie (Sven), Anna, Jenni, Mike (Paige), Dawn, Jon, Ellie, Ava, David, Judah, Izzy, & Abel; and 1 great-grandchild, Tyson. His sister Lois (Gary) Jochem; brother Mark Fritze and many beloved nieces and nephews, as well as special friends Dennis & Mary Jo Roeber and countless friends in the communities Paul served.

Paul is preceded in death by his parents Rev. Hugo and Gerda (Reuschel) Fritze; brother & sister-in-law David & Shirley Fritze; eldest son, Stephen; and brother-in-law Eldon Hirsch.

Special thanks for the love and care provided to Paul by:

Countryside Volunteers of America, Sleepy Eye, MN

Elder Homestead Volunteers of America, Minnetonka, MN

New Ulm Caregivers

Sholom Home West hospice and care workers in St. Louis Park, MN