Ida Fritz

Ida Margaret Fritz was a caring wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She loved her family deeply and selflessly put their needs before her own. The work of her hands and the joy in her heart communicated the devotion she had to God, family and friends.

Ida was born on March 22, 1918 to Edward and Anna (West) Buckowing of Fremont, Michigan. As the second of thirteen children, Ida shared in the family work load and cared for her brothers and sisters: Robert, Donald, Edward, Gene, Richard, Clayton, Floyd, Daniel, Bertha, Marlene, and Ann. She even helped her mother deliver some of her younger siblings and experienced the sadness of losing one child in infancy. The family moved from Fremont to Byron Center, at the intersection of Byron Center Road and 84th Street. Ida's father supported his large family by first working in the auto industry and then as a janitor at Woolworth's Department Store in downtown Grand Rapids. Though Ida had weighty responsibilities at home, she also experienced the joys of roller skating, riding in the hand-cranked family car, and traveling downtown on electric trolley cars. Her rich, full childhood influenced Ida throughout her life.

Ida attended Byron Center elementary school and high school through the 10th grade. Never shying away from work, Ida took a job after high school at McInerney Spring & Wire in Grand Rapids. More than just an employment opportunity, the job introduced her to a fellow worker who would become her husband. Ida met Donald Fritz and the two became fast friends in their dating relationship. They were both 20 years old when they decided to get married. On July 30, 1938 they made their vows at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Marne, Michigan where Donald's family were members. They were able to live with his parents in Marne for the first while and later again when war broke out. Donald joined the US Army Air Corps as a turret gunner on a B-17. Ida and their first child Judith, born in November of 1941, lived with Donald's parents until he was discharged. Their second child, Don, was born in December 1943 and Donald was honorably discharged from military service on December 16, 1945. After he came home, the young family lived in a rented apartment on Washington Street in Marne before building a home on 16th Avenue in 1955. Their family grew to five children with the birth of James in March of 1951, Deb in December of 1952, and Dennis in September of 1955. Donald worked as a cement contractor and later started his own business as a poured wall cement contractor. It would become a family business when the sons began working for their dad and eventually took over the business. Their daughter Judy died of leukemia in February of 1959, one of the most difficult hardships Ida faced.

The Fritz family was bound by Ida and Donald's attention to their children. All the kids attended Berlin School (which later became known as Marne Elementary) and graduated from Kenowa Hills High School. Their parents supported their endeavors as the children actively participated in school. At home, the family was treated to fabulous meals every day: meatloaf, chicken, zucchini bread, liver and onions, homemade pickles, plus delicious pies of many kinds, including banana and chocolate cream. She used vegetables from her bountiful garden and canned the produce so they had plenty all year long. The yard was graced by beautiful flowers that Ida tended with care. And indoors, the family was surrounded by the niceties of Ida's handiwork such as crocheted doilies and pillow case ruffles. Needless to say, Ida was a busy mom, but she loved every minute of it. She and Donald also kept their children closely connected with family. They often visited grandparents in Marne and in Byron Center, usually on Sundays after church. They faithfully attended St. Mary's Catholic Church in Marne, where the children were nurtured in faith through the sacraments; baptism, confession, and confirmation.

Ida was also a good neighbor. Because she loved children, she often babysat the neighbors' kids. And because friends knew she had a green thumb, they often brought over their sick plants and Ida restored them back to life, better than ever. Neighbors were a part of the celebration the family threw for Ida and Donald at their 50th wedding anniversary in 1989. The church hall at St. Mary's was filled with family, friends and neighbors. If Ida and Donald weren't out with family on Saturday nights, they loved dining out with friends. Ida and Donald's neighborliness was extended to a business they bought in 1964. When the Berlin Tavern burned down, the owners decided to sell and Ida and Donald decided to buy. They rebuilt and reopened the restaurant and tavern with Ida, naturally, preparing daily specials and Donald running the tavern. When they sold the business in 1968, they went on to buy a mobile home park in Coopersville, expanding it and running it for several years before selling it in 1973. In 1980, Ida and Donald bought a trailer in Bradenton, Florida where they spent the winters. However, they missed the children and grandkids so much they sold it in 1989 and remained close to home after that.

Ida loved being a grandmother. She had the grandkids at their house as often as possible, and she spoiled them to no end. Whatever they wanted! For example, if six of them stayed over, it was not unusual for Ida to make each of them a different meal. But then, it was not unusual for Ida to make extra food anyway...in case anyone dropped in. For each of the grandchildren, Ida made Cabbage Patch Dolls that they cherish to this day.

Ida was never idle. Besides sewing and crocheting, she took a class and made many ceramic crafts. It's a wonder there was any shelf space to display her work since, at Christmas, Ida's home was filled with over 100 Dickens Christmas Houses! Amid her frequent phone chats to friends and family, Ida stayed busy in the kitchen cooking and baking. As always, the radio was on as Ida did her work. And when she got a chance, she indulged in romance novels and bingo. Ida played bingo whenever she could get a ride, especially to the Boat & Canoe Club. She didn't drive, but she was always ready when friends headed for casinos in Mt. Pleasant and Manistee.

In April of 1997, Donald was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and died the following August. Ida was devastated, but her strong faith and loving family sustained her. She continued to live at the home in Marne until she suffered a severe stroke in November of 2003. Ida went to assisted living at Cherrywood Manor of Oakcrest in Jenison until May of 2005. When she needed more assistance, she went to St. Ann 's Home where she received wonderful, loving attention from the caring staff. As her health diminished, Ida was placed under hospice care through what would be the last week of her life. In her final days, Ida's beloved family gathered and kept a constant vigil. They were by her side when she died at 11:35 on Tuesday evening.

Ida will be remembered as a loving and generous wife, mother grandmother, great grandmother, sister, good friend and neighbor. She cared about her family more than anything and always put them first in her life. She now joins her husband and family who have gone before her to heaven.

Mrs. Ida M. Fritz, aged 88 of Marne, MI, passed away February 13, 2007. She was preceded in death by her husband Donald Fritz and her daughter, Judith Warfield; her brothers, Robert Buckowing and Donald Buckowing. She is survived by her children, Don and Nancy Fritz, Jim and Sue Fritz, Debbie and Ray Cross, Dennis and Terrie Fritz; 10 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren; her brothers and sisters, Edward (Sophie) Buckowing, Gene (Rheatha) Buckowing, Richard Buckowing, Clayton Buckowing, Floyd (Pat) Buckowing, Daniel Buckowing, Bertha (Bill) Warner, Marlene (Lenny) Vanderberg, Ann Barton; many nieces, nephews and friends. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday morning at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Marne. Relatives and friends may meet her family at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home on Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. with a vigil service at 7:00 p.m. and again at St. Mary's Church on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until Mass begins. Contributions in her memory may be made to In House Hospice.