Dennis Howard Fritz, age 64, of Rugby, North Dakota went to be home with God on Thursday, April 18, 2013 after an emotional eighteen month battle with cancer.  He died at home with his family at his side and under the care of hospice.

Dennis was born June 16, 1948 in Dickinson, North Dakota to Maynard and Inez (Ruf) Fritz.  The family lived on his grandfather’s ranch near Grassy Butte, North Dakota until Dennis was five years old.  He then spent the next 13 years living on a ranch near Bullion Butte, south of Medora.  He attended a rural school for two years and then roomed and boarded in Beach, North Dakota until his High School graduation in 1966.  Dennis completed his education at Dickinson State College.   On June 7, 1969, he was united in marriage to Elaine Strommen in New England, North Dakota. They made their home in Dickinson before moving to Rugby in 1970.

Dennis was employed by Lotvedt Construction and Rugby Furniture for two years and from 1972 until 1985, he worked for Rugby Motor Company, serving as a parts man for 5 years and then in sales.  In 1985, Dennis started working for himself, creating a well-needed business named Fritz Delivery.  His service provided ground deliveries from Rugby to Minot and north to Bottineau, Dunseith, Belcourt, Rolla and Rolette on a daily basis.  Although the work hours were long, he loved his customers and was devoted to serving them well.  He had an easy smile and a wonderful and contagious laugh.  Dennis was a member of First Lutheran Church, enjoyed hunting with his sons in the Medora Badlands and loved cars and motors.  He was a proud and loving grandfather.

He is survived by his wife, Elaine of Rugby; his children, Jason and his wife, Rhonda (Balliet) of Bismarck, Rachel and her husband, Jason Freehauf of West Fargo and Jesse and his wife, Jessica (Schneider) of Rugby; grandchildren, Anja, Ava, Anders, Kristian and Kiefer Fritz; Oakley Eagleson, Riley and Olivia Freehauf; one sister, Ramona (Kent) Dressler of Marshall; brothers-in-law, Robert Strommen, New England, Larry (Doris) Strommen, Dickinson and Kevin Berg; sister-in-law, Roselyn Strommen; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.  He was preceded in death by one nephew, Kelsey Dressler; a brother-in-law, Ronald Strommen; his parents and Elaine's parents.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 23^rd at the First Lutheran Church in Rugby, Pastor Mike Pretzer and Pastor Sharon Baker, officiating.  Burial will be held at 3:00 p.m. MDT Wednesday, April 24^th in the Medora Community Cemetery, Medora.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at the Anderson Funeral Home in Rugby and will continue for one hour prior to the time of services on Tuesday at the church.

Prayer service and sharing of memories will begin at 7 p.m. Monday in the funeral home