Fredrick 'Fritz' Joseph Wetzel Jr., 51

Fredrick "Fritz" Joseph Wetzel Jr., 51, “moved on from this life” on Friday, Sept. 23, 2011, at home in Bigfork.

Fritz was a passionate person and never did anything that he didn’t feel he could do without doing it passionately.

He was raised in Bigfork and chose to make his life here. In 1990, he found someone in which to share his passion and wed, Alice. Together with his two children and her four children they made up “The Wetzel Bunch.”

Fritz and Alice were able to watch all six of their children, Courtney, JJ, Hyrum, Cheryl, Travis and Kristen grow to find and pursue passions of their own, all the while setting time aside to occasionally practice and perform with his band “The Last Word.” He also enjoyed playing and practicing drums in the Woods Bay area with friends.

Fritz had a memorable personality and never left a room without making at least one person laugh or crack a smile.

Fritz was preceded in death by parents, Alta and Fred Wetzel; and brother, Mike.

He is survived by his wife, Alice, and their six children; grandchildren, Jordyn, Matthew, Raiya and Mason; as well as siblings, Tom and Reba, Aunt Marian, Uncle Dave; plus friends and family too numerous to print, but in all of whom Fritz’s passion will live on.

A celebration of Fritz’s life will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, at The Sitting Duck in Woods Bay.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Fritz’s family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to view Fritz’s guest book, offer condolences and share memories.