Bruce Fritz

Larry Bruce Fritz, Nixa, Missouri passed away on December 1, 2011, at home, surrounded by his loving family. Bruce was born on June 11, 1928 in St Francis, Kansas. United in marriage to Gwendolyn Kay Beard on September 2, 1951 and to this union three children were born. Bruce graduated from Denver High School, received his Bachelors of Science Degree in education at Fayette, Iowa and his Masters Degree in Administration at Aberdeen, SD. He began his teaching career in a one room country school in Iowa. His career in education spanned 42 years. His great love of children was evident. Anytime the children saw him in public there was a great "Hello Mr. Fritz!"� and his eyes would light up with delight as he greeted the children in return. Even after retirement and as his dementia progressed he would ask if the children were taken care of. Those left to cherish Bruce"�s memory include: his wife, Gwen, Nixa; one son, Loren and wife Sheryl, Palm Bay, Florida; two daughters, Leslie Kay Burk and husband Ron, Nixa, Lana Lea Mangold and husband Ken, Garfield, Arkansas; eight grandchildren and eight great grandchildren; one brother Lorence Boyde Fritz, Conroe, Texas; one sister in law Shirley Fritz, Germantown, MD; several brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews, cousins and many friends. A visitation will be from 1:00 to 2:00 pm on Friday, December 2 at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Nixa, Mo. Funeral services will follow at the church with Pastor Adam Parvey officiating. Burial with be at McConnell Bledsoe Cemetery in Nixa. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Barnes and Noble in Springfield, Mo. for books for OCAC or Joplin Schools. Although Bruce will be greatly missed by all those that he touched, his presence will be felt in the hearts of those who knew and loved him. Even though his time here is done, the things he taught us all will live forever. We will never say good-bye we will just say we"�ll see you later. He was certainly an angel sent to earth in the form of a husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, son and beloved friend.