Milton “Tug” Fritz, 81, Jasper, died Sunday, November 1, 2015 at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne. Mass of Christian Burial was held Thursday, Nov. 5 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Jasper, with Father Thomas Jennings officiating. Military honors were provided by Oscar Iverson American Legion Post 133, Jasper, Michael Boock American Legion Post 6 and VFW Post 381, both of Pipestone. Interment was in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Jasper. Condolences may be left at Hartquist Funeral Home.

Milton “Tug” William Fritz was born on Sept. 10, 1934 to Raphael and Dorothy “Ann” (Honnermann) Fritz in Adrian. He was raised on a farm north of Adrian and attended country school for two years and then St. Adrian Grade School and High School. After his graduation from high school in 1952, he began working at the Adrian Coop Elevator until 1956 when Uncle Sam came calling and he left for the United States Air Force. During basic training in San Antonio, Texas and Columbus, Ohio, he worked on a KC-97 then the KC-135 Jet Tanker used for Mid Air Refueling. Later he worked on the B-47, the B-52, and several jet fighters. While on active duty, he traveled to Puerto Rico, Africa, Spain, Canada, England and South Africa. Milton was honorably discharged in 1960 and got home in time for Christmas.

On April 27, 1963, he married Patricia DeSchepper at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Jasper. Following their marriage, they lived in Jasper where he was employed at the Farmers Elevator. In 1976, he was promoted to manager at the elevator. After his retirement in 1993, he worked at the creameries in Edgerton and Woodstock part-time for a couple years.

In 2013 he became a resident at the Minnesota Veteran’s Home in Luverne.

He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church where he served on the cemetery board for many years. He was a volunteer firefighter for over 25 years with the Jasper Fire Department.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Patricia Fritz, Jasper; two sons, Robert (Elaine) Fritz, Baltic, S.D. and Patrick (Rebecca) Fritz, Dell Rapids, S.D.; six grandchildren; four brothers, Jerome, Gerald, Mark and Michael and seven sisters, Patricia, Helen, Marjorie, Nancy, Mary, Carolyn and Marie.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, James and John.