Francis A. Fritz'

Francis A. “Fritz” Gollnick, 88 of Webster died on Thursday, November 10, 2011 at Bethesda Home in Webster. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 A.M. Monday, November 14, 2011 at Christ The King Catholic Church in Webster.  Burial will be in St. Otto’s Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be on Sunday 2-4 P.M. then resuming at the church until 8 P.M. with a 7:00 P.M. Rosary. Francis August “Fritz” Gollnick was born on Friday, February 9, 1923 to John and Anna (Zeller) Gollnick on a farm in Morton Township, Day County, South Dakota.  He attended grade school in Racine Township, District No. 119 and also attended Webster High School until the death of his father in 1938.  As the eldest son in the family, he quit school to carry on farm work with his mother.  During World War II he went to work for Consolidated Aircraft in San Diego, California.  After the war he returned to Day County to continue farming.  On October 24, 1945 he was united in marriage to Dolores Bierschbach.  The couple made their home and farmed in Webster Township.  To this union five children were born.  Dolores passed away in 1981. On March 9, 1984 he married Helen McCabe at Blessed Sacrament Church in Florence.  After their marriage the couple made their home on the farm in Webster Township.  The couple traveled extensively throughout the states and spent winters in Texas, Florida and Arizona. Fritz was a member of Christ The King Catholic Church where he served as head usher for many years and Eucharist Minister.  He was Vice Chief Ranger of the State Court of the Catholic Order of Foresters and also Chief Ranger for the Local C.O.F. Court.  He was very active in the 4-H Program. Fritz served as Webster Township Supervisor for several years, served on the Wallace Elevator Board and as a Commissioner for Day County, during which time, he was on the advisory board for Lake Area Hospital.  He also was on the board for the Museum of Wildlife, Science and Industry and donated four acres of land for the Shoe House.  Fritz loved to visit and share stories.  He made friends wherever he went.  He enjoyed fishing, hunting, woodworking, playing cards and traveling. Fritz is survived by his wife, Helen; two sons, John (Lana) Gollnick and Mike (Karlene) Gollnick; two daughters, Dianne (Pete) Haugen and Donna (Gary) Wik all of Webster; fourteen grandchildren and fifteen great grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife, a son, Kenneth, two sisters, Isabel and Angeline and four brothers, Phillip, Ervin, Willard and Eugene.