Shirley K. (Bockin) Fritsche

1946-2025

With faith in Christ Jesus, we find healing comfort that our mother, Shirley K. (Bockin) Fritsche, has unexpectedly slipped her earthly bounds to return home. She lived a wonderful life for 78 years. Born Sept. 8, 1946, in Park Falls to Spencer and Florence (Meindl) Bockin; washed clean in baptism on Sept. 29, 1946. She was a proud 1964 graduate of Medford High School. In her senior year, she met Alan Fritsche and they eventually married on Aug. 7, 1965. They relocated to the Wausau area, joined Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church, and started a family.

Shirley wore many hats in life. Her working career started early, clerking for the Register of Deeds in Taylor County. In Wausau, she handled the marketing for Ladd & Lassie/Town & Country. She later served in the Wausau Center Mall information center. She later transitioned to Quality Foods in Rib Mountain to be their cake decorator. She worked a loving 32 years earning her favorite moniker of The Cake Lady.

Shirley had a deep faith in the Catholic religion, serving Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church. She was a devoted CCD instructor for 40 years and served several terms as the President of the St. Catherine’s Council. She also served the church as a lector, lay distributor, and usher. Her main love was singing soprano in the church choir.

Shirley was known as wife, sister, mother, aunt, grandmother, and great-grandmother; commonly called GG. She also supported her daughter and served as Girl Scout Leader.

Survivors include, Jason (Kristin) Fritsche and their children, Spencer (Bri’Anna Collins) and Alyssa (Jacob Wasmundt) Fritsche. Karla (David) Kerchefski and their children, Paul (Ashley Hitz) Kerchefski and Kyrie (Kristopher) Spatz. Scott (Michelle) Fritsche and their children, Greyson (Amy) Hoffman, Kathryn Becker, and Sabrina Fritsche. Great-grandchildren, Max and Allen Kerchefski, Zander, Arthur, and Abigail Spatz, and Elias Hoffman. Siblings, Ruth Grewe, and David (Linda) Bockin; and many nieces and nephews scattered throughout the United States.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Alan; parents, Spencer and Florence Bockin; sister and brother-in-law, Carole and Gary Schurter; and brotherin-law, Larry Grewe; niece, Sandra Grewe. A celebration wake is planned at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 3400 Stewart Avenue, Wausau, on Thursday, April 10, 2025 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. In honor of Shirley’s memory, the family will host a praying of the rosary beginning at 7 p.m.

A funeral Mass is planned at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church, 1104 South Ninth Avenue, Wausau, on Friday, April 11, 2025 at 11 a.m. celebrated by Rev. Samuel Martin. There will be a final viewing at the church beginning at 9:30 a.m. until the beginning of the Mass. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.

Memorial donations can be made to the St. Catherine’s Council at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church.

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