Earl Martin Fritz, age 94, died November 7, 2021 in Columbus, Ohio. Earl was born July 25, 1927 in Verdon, Nebraska, graduated from Verdon High School, and was drafted in the US Army in 1945 serving in the Pacific.
He attended Midland College, Fremont, Nebraska, graduated with his BA from Gettysburg College in 1952 and obtained his BD in Theology in 1955 from the Chicago Lutheran Seminary. He was ordained by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in 1955 and began his ministry at Luther Memorial Lutheran Church in Madison, WI. He has served parishes in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. He retired from Peace Lutheran Church, Gahanna, OH in 2005.
Since retiring he has served as a Supply pastor for the Southern Ohio Synod of the ELCA and has been a member of First Congregational Church in Columbus.
He is survived by his wife, Pauline, of 70 years; a daughter, Katherine Sensenig; a son, John and his wife, Donna; granddaughters, Sarah Sensenig Dolan, Lisa Sensenig and Jacquelyn Fritz DeVito; great granddaughter, Makayla Ledo; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by parents Henry and Frieda Fritz and six siblings.
Earl’s greatest pleasures in life were vacation hiking in the mountains, climbing 14,000 ft peaks, and listening to the music of organs and symphonies. He enhanced several homes with his stain glass windows and built his home in Gahanna. The community and welfare organizations have been hallmarks of his life.
He was loved and admired by all. A memorial service was held at First Congregational Church, Columbus, OH on Saturday, November 13.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to First Congregational Church, Capital City Hospice, or the Columbus Symphony.
