Frederick "Fritz" Stark Jr.

Frederick "Fritz" F. Stark, Jr., 81, passed away peacefully Tuesday, March 15, 2016, in Branson, Missouri, with his loving family at his side.
Fritz was born to Frederick and Ethel (Wise) Stark on August 17, 1934, in Bluff Siding, Wisconsin. He was united in marriage with Denise J. Olson on February 29, 1960 in Caledonia, Minnesota. Together they made their home in Pickwick, Minnesota until their recent move to Winona.
Upon completion of his general education, he attended a trade school for cabinet making. Fritz was considered a "Jack of all Trades" with the many skills he retained over the years. His first job began at Jolivette's Gardens at the age of twelve, following with Rivoli Theatre, machinist at AY McDonalds in Dubuque, IA, and lead person at Fiberite in Winona. He honorably served his country with the Army in the Korean conflict for two years. After his return, he worked at Fiberite, and then for many years provided for his family as a cement laborer, a heavy equipment operator, and a cement mason. Even after retirement in 1997, he continued to work a couple more years at the Winona Country Club mowing grass. He was a hard worker throughout his life and instilled this trait to his family and friends.
Fritz is lovingly survived by his wife, Denise, of 56 years; his children, Lori (Tim 'Buddy 1') Kropidlowski of Winona, Kimberly (Randy 'Buddy 2') Brommer of Alma, WI, Theresa (Daniel 'Buddy 3') Houdek of Balltown, IA, and Frederick (Pennie) Stark, III of Centerville, WI; grandchildren, Jeremiah (Danielle), Jennalee (Henry), Tausheena (Zach), Lindsey (Jeff), Augustes (Brittany), Abby (Francis), Elizabeth, and Charity (Dan); great grandchildren, Vaida, Madelynn, Deliah, Elijah, Wyatt, Ethan, Emma 1, Amelia, Emma 2, Margaret, Braydin, Isaac, and Gideon; siblings, Robert, Merritt (Norma), Barbara, Sandra (Clark), and Norma (Carlyle); and many brother-in-laws, sister-in-laws, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; great grandson, Delsin; brothers, Lloyd, Kenneth, Eugene, and Manuel; and sisters, Loretta, Lorraine, and Karen.
Anyone that knew Fritz knew he took much pride in his garden, his lawn, and his fruit trees. His favorite colors were green and yellow symbolizing his John Deere tractor and the Green Bay Packers. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing card games (Denise always won cuz she was pencil pushing), wine making, attending Cranberry Fest, volunteering at Breitbach's Wine Shed, and watching wildlife from his dining room window. Fritz was 'Living on Love' with the life he shared with Denise. Above anything else, he loved his wife, his children, and his grandchildren unconditionally.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 26 beginning at 1:00 p.m. until the time of the prayer service at Hoff Celebration of Life Center, Goodview. Pastor Mark Dumke will lead the prayer service beginning at 2:45 p.m. The American Legion Leon J. Wetzel Post 9 of Winona, will provide military honors outside of the funeral home following the prayer service. A private burial of his cremains will follow at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred. Please share a remembrance of Fritz with his family in the online guestbook at www.hofffuneral.com.