Michael Eugene Fritsche

Michael Eugene Fritsche, 48, of Pensacola, Florida passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, November 28, 2015 at Hilton Head Regional Medical Center in Hilton Head, SC while visiting family for the Thanksgiving Holiday in Bluffton, SC. Mike was born in Wisconsin Rapids, WI on July 3, 1967, the son of Joan (Rucinski) Fritsche and the late Eugene Fritsche. Mike attended Wisconsin Rapids schools and graduated in 1986. After graduation, Mike served his country in the United States Army. He was proud to be called a veteran. Mike worked as a maintenance technician for First Service Residential in Pensacola. Before moving to Florida, Mike worked for Wolosek Landscape in Wisconsin Rapids. Mike had a great love for his wife Eleanor ("Nor"), and told everyone he came into contact with how much he loved her. He loved the outdoors and spent as much time as he could squirrel hunting, fishing, traveling with his wife, and loving his family and friends. Mike was also an avid Green Bay Packers fan, and had a fond thoughtfulness for the New England Patriots. Mike is Survived by his loving wife, Eleanor (Jeffrey) Fritsche of Pensacola, FL and would have celebrated 26 years of marriage on December 1st; his mother Joan (Rucinski) Fritsche of Wisconsin Rapids, WI; five brothers, Steve (Linda) Fritsche, Daniel (Barb) Fritsche, Kevin (Karen) Fritsche all of Wisconsin Rapids, WI, and his "womb-mate" Rick (Tami) Fritsche of Stevens Point, WI, three sisters, Paula (Wayne) Tracy, Patti Punzel and Suzan (John) Siegler all of Wisconsin Rapids, his uncle Jon (Kathi) Rucinski of Henderson, NC and many nieces and nephews. Mike also leaves behind his second family, his in-laws, who thought very highly of him and his love for Eleanor. A Visitation will be held on Monday, December 7, 2015 from 9:30am to 11:30am at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church, Wisconsin Rapids, WI. Funeral Services will be held immediately following at 11:30am at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church. Burial will be at Restlawn Cemetery on Tuesday, December 8, 2015. The family is requesting that donations in Mike's name be made to the: Wounded Warrior Project P.O. Box 758517 Topeka, Kansas 66675 (woundedwarriorproject.org/give-back.aspx) Sauls Funeral Home in Bluffton, SC and Ritchay Funeral Home in Wisconsin Rapids, WI are helping with arrangements. A Visitation will be held on Monday, December 7, 2015 from 9:30am to 11:30am at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church, Wisconsin Rapids, WI. Funeral Services will be held immediately following at 11:30am at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church. Burial will be at Restlawn Cemetery on Tuesday, December 8, 2015.