In Memory ~ Van Kirk, Marianne

In Memory ~ Marianne Van Kirk Fritzler

Died ~ December 15, 2012

Marianne Fritzler, 70, was called home on Saturday, December 15, 2012. She passed away peacefully with family by her side at Box Butte General Hospital in Alliance. 

Marianne was born October 27, 1942 at Alliance, Nebraska to Harry and Joy (Martindale) VanKirk. 

She met LaVerne Fritzler and they married on February 9, 1964 at the First Christian Church in Alliance. To this union 2 sons were born, Tony and Marty. 

Following LaVerne's death on December 18, 1969, Marianne dedicated her life to providing exceptional love and care to generations of Alliances' children. She retired from her in-home daycare but found she missed the kids. She returned to her calling, and for the last 5 years continued to touch lives by being a foster grandparent at Alliance Head Start, retiring in June of this year. Marianne never met a child she didn't love; just as every child she met knew her kind heart. She was a member of the First Christian Church in Alliance. 

Marianne is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, Tony and Wendy Fritzler of Alliance and Marty and Brenda Fritzler of Chadron; sister and brother-in-law, Sally and Bob Mowbray of Port Angeles, WA; grandchildren, Brad Fritzler of Chadron, Kayla Hatch and husband Caleb of Alliance, Alex and Brooklynn Fritzler of Chadron, and Rhegan and Creighton Fritzler of Alliance; and great granddaughters, Allison and Addison and two great grandchildren on the way. She is also survived by her nieces Marcy Long from California and Sarah Stahl from Washington, and nephew David Long and wife Karen from Washington. Marianne was preceded in death by her loving husband LaVerne Fritzler and her parents Harry and Joy VanKirk. 

Memorial services will be held Thursday, December 20, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church with Jeanie Sedivy officiating. Inurnment will be in the Alliance Cemetery. 

Memorials can be directed to Jane's Closet, P.O. Box 810, Alliance, Nebraska, 69301, to support breast cancer.

Information in our 50th Class Reunion booklet ~ picture is of Marianne at our 30th class reunion ~ I became a single mom in 1969 after my husband was killed while working as a lineman for the City.  I remained in Alliance all my life working in the child care field with a day care center in my home.  I kept at this career so long that I cared for children of children that I had in day care.  I lived close to my parents which provided my boys with a “father-figure”.  My mother recently passed away at the age of 98, so I’m hoping longevity runs in the family.  After closing my day care center, I volunteered as a foster grandparent for Head Start.  Due to health issues, I have had to quit, but things are looking up and I may be able to begin volunteering again soon.  I recently moved to an apartment at the Wildflower Terrace ~ it’s like living in a sorority and being 20 years old again.

Marianne was married to LaVerne Fritzler (deceased in 1969).  She had two sons, Tony and Marty