07 Jun Francis Jeanette (Jenny) Fritz

Francis Jeanette (Jenny) Fritz, passed away peacefully on June 3, 2024, as a result of a heart attack. A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Wednesday, June 12, at 9:30 a.m. at Church of Corpus Christi.  Burial will be held at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, June 11 from 5-6 p.m. at the Bismarck Funeral Home with a Rosary/Vigil service at 6 p.m.  Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.  Livestream of the service will be available on the Corpus Christi church website.

Francis was born to Peter and Barbara (Schwartz) Weiand on July 23, 1937.  She was raised with her ten siblings in the Beulah area. It was at a dance in Glen Ullin, in 1957, that she met Ernest, and the two were married on September 15, 1958. The newlyweds lived in Grand Forks, for a short time while Ernest completed his college degree. It was there, that Francis taught herself to sew. They moved to Stanton, followed by Hettinger, and finally Bismarck, where she lived with Ernest until his passing in November 2020. The couple was married for 62 years, and raised two children together.

Francis joined the Bismarck Eagles Axillary in 1973, and held many chairs throughout her years of service. She served on the Ritual Team, was recognized as Mrs. Eagle, Auxiliary Mother and Grandmother, and was recently recognized for 50 years of volunteer service. Francis enjoyed serving funeral luncheons, Wednesday night suppers, and pancake breakfasts. She lived a life of service.

Francis worked at JC Penny’s as a seamstress. She later became self-employed, and began her alteration business in her home. She had amazing talent for customizing clothing, and hemmed her final pair of pants just days before her death.

Francis loved fun and liked being at the center of attention. She liked to celebrate with friend by gathering for happy hour, playing cards, or a trip to the casino. She could be found “pounding the machines” in hopes of a big win. If there was an opportunity to go in on pull tabs, she would yell “I’m in!” She was quick with a joke, or a story to get the party started.

Francis remained a member of the Ramblin’ Nodaks camping group, even though she no longer had a camper. She loved the fun and fellowship at the rallies.

Blessed be a part of her life were her daughter, DeeAnn (Jim) Huss; her grandchildren, Jereme (Rebecca) Huss, Samantha (Coty) Colhoff, Presley (Jesse Gange) Fritz; great-grandchildren Laurel and Landon Huss; her sister Elizabeth (Betty) Zeigler; her brother Edwin Weiand; many nieces and nephews; and friends. Francis will be missed by so many, but she will especially be missed by her partners in crime, Geri Lewis and Lavina Malard.

Francis was joyfully greeted in heaven by her parents; her husband, Ernest Fritz; her son, Douglas Fritz; her siblings, Richard Weiand, Leonard Weiand, Annie Heier, Eleanor Borchers, Marcella Schumacher, Dorothy Hoffman, and Robert W. Weiand.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Home on the Range or the Veteran’s Cemetery.