Frederic (Fritz) M. Vollert Obituary (1936

Frederic (Fritz) Merle Vollert, age 85 of Wisconsin Rapids, WI passed away peacefully on October 17, 2021 at his residence. Visitation will be held Saturday, October 23, 2021 from 3-5 pm at Herman-Taylor Funeral Home in Wisconsin Rapids with a service at 5 pm and a dinner to follow at the funeral home. Fritz was born June 26, 1936 to Carl and Frances (Luth) Vollert in Wisconsin Rapids. He attended the Bean School and Lincoln High School and then joined the United States Marine Corps. Fritz was stationed at Camp Pendleton, CA from 1955 to 1957 and won a sharp shooter award while serving. Upon completion of his military duties, he returned to the family farm in Vesper, WI and worked construction jobs. A couple of years later, Fritz joined Nekoosa-Edwards Paper Mill in Nekoosa, WI. He liked his job at the paper mill and held several positions on the paper machines. After 38 years, he retired as a tour supervisor and often talked about his friends from the mill. On June 6, 1964, Fritz married Jeanne Bodette at St. Vincent de Paul in Wisconsin Rapids. They were blessed with 57 years of marriage and four wonderful children. Fritz was an avid fisherman and enjoyed taking his family camping and fishing up north to the St. German and Boulder Junction areas. A favorite fishing memory included his 51 1/4 inch musky he caught in 1971 on Little St. Germain Lake. Fritz enjoyed being outdoors mowing lawn, cutting wood and hunting. He made several trips out west pheasant hunting with his brothers and friends, deer hunted at the family cabin in the Town of Hansen and went moose hunting in Canada. He shared his love of guns and hunting with his children and grandchildren. Fritz golfed on the Thursday Night Men's League for many years at Homestead Golf Course. He also golfed in the Nepco League at Tri-City with his fellow mill workers. Homestead became a special place to him. He met so many wonderful friends there and when his golfing years were over, he continued to go there for conversation and beverages. He was a man of few words but was a loyal friend and had a heart of gold. Fritz was the happiest with a child on his lap and his grandchildren held a special place in his heart. Grandpa Fritz will surely be missed. Frederic is survived by his loving wife Jeanne, his four children, Colette Torres, Killeen TX, Alan Vollert and Fred (Alison) Vollert, Wisconsin Rapids, and Gail (Jay) Prochnow, Vesper. Grandchildren Joseph, Tyler and Jordan Torres, Brittany Drollinger and Cody Vollert, Ryan and Erik Prochnow, Kale Kroll, Carson, Chandler, Finley, Everett and Eriana Vollert and great-grandson Paxton Drollinger. He is further survived by his brother Irv (Sharon) Vollert; sisters Susan Bean, Carol Kobza, and Alice (John) Homelvig; brother-in-law Wendell Eastling; sister-in-law Barbara Gellerman; brothers-in-law James (Gina) Bodette and Larry (Carla) Bodette and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Kenneth Vollert, sister Lois Eastling, brothers-in-law Leonard Kobza and David Bean; sisters-in-law Bette Vollert and Linda Vollert. The family would like to express their gratitude to Dr. Robert Roenius of Aspirus Riverview and to the staff at Wisconsin Rapids Health Services. A special thank you to Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services for their compassion and care allowing Fritz to remain at home, and lastly to Herman-Taylor Funeral Home for their kind and efficient services.