Orville R. Fritsch

Aug. 24, 1916-Aug. 3, 2011

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Orville Raymond Fritsch, 94, died Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2011, at his residence in McCook.

He was born Aug. 24, 1916, in Indianola, Nebraska, the son of the late William Alfred and Cora Belle (Thompson) Fritsch. Orville grew up in Indianola and graduated from Indianola High School in 1935.

On Dec. 31, 1941, Orville entered the U.S. Army Air Corp, serving during World War II.

On Dec. 1, 1944, Orville married Mildred L. Harris, in Atwood, Kansas. Following his honorable discharge from the military, the couple came to McCook, where he was a partner in the Ideal Laundry and Dry Cleaners. In 1953, they moved to Trenton, Nebraska, where he became the owner and operator of the Trenton Cleaners and in 1955, joined the staff as a partner in the Herrmann Funeral Home; retiring in 1985.

He was a member of the Robert Burns Masonic Lodge 173 and the Order of Eastern Star in Stratton, Nebraska, and in 2011 he received the Jordan Medal for being the eldest member of the lodge. Orville was an avid hunter and fisherman, and he and Millie traveled Wyoming and Nebraska, where they camped and fished most of their married life.

He was preceded in death by his wife on Oct. 9, 2002; two infants who died at birth, Sandra Kay and Larry Raymond; one grandson, Corey Fritsch; two brothers, Harold Fritsch and Willard Fritsch; and one sister, Maxine Shew.

Orville is survived by one son, William W. Fritsch and his wife, Rita of Culbertson, Nebraska; one granddaughter, Kasey Fritsch of Trenton, Nebraska; two great-granddaughters, Jordan and Terra Dutcher.

Graveside inurnment services with military honors are Monday, 10 a.m., at Fort McPherson National Cemetery in Maxwell, Nebraska.

Friends may sign his register at Herrmann Funeral Home during regular business hours, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Memorials may be given in his name and left at the funeral home.

Herrmann Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.