Donna J. (Pearson) Fritz, 86 of Ankeny, passed away on December 17, 2021 at Mill Pond Retirement Community. Her husband Bill E. Fritz, 89, preceded her in death on September 19, 2021 at their home at Maplewood Village. The couple were married for 65 years.
After Bill’s military service in Korea, he and Donna married in St. Paul, MN in 1956. After living in eastern IA and California, the two relocated their family to the Runnells, IA area. The couple purchased Bill’s parents’ farm, which continues to be owned and operated by their son Tim. In addition to their regular jobs, Bill maintained the farm and livestock, while Donna served as a church organist and pianist, and played in a local all woman band.
In their retirement, Bill and Donna traveled extensively, visiting all 50 of the United States, as well as at least 10 countries. For over a year, Bill and Donna traveled by RV across the United States, sometimes serving as campground hosts, working at a fish hatchery, and witnessing natures’s beauty. Bill found joy working in the garden in his later years, and Donna performed her final piano concert weeks before her passing.
Bill and Donna are survived by their three children, Mike (Deb), Laura Richard (Greg), and Tim (Julie McNees), as well as 11 grandchildren and 7 great grand children. Our thoughts and gratitude go out to all who were touched by their lives, and who in turn, touched ours. A family interment will be held at a later date. Memorials may be sent to Mill Pond Retirement Community, 1201 SE Mill Pond Ct, Ankeny, IA 50021.
