Pastor Wayne Fritzinger

Fairmont - Pastor Wayne Fritzinger, age 76, of Fairmont, MN, passed away peacefully with family by his side on Saturday, January 13, 2024, at Mosaic Life Care at St. Joseph - Medical Center in St. Joseph, Missouri.

A Celebration of Life service will be held for Pastor Wayne at 11:00 AM on Friday, January 19, 2024, at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Welcome, Minnesota, (214 N Dugan St, Welcome, MN 56181) and will be officiated by Pastor Russ Steele. The service will be recorded, and available live as well as after the service at the bottom of this page.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM on Thursday, January 18, 2024, at St. Paul's United Church of Christ, as well as one hour prior to the Celebration of Life service on Friday.

Wayne Fritzinger was born on June 17, 1947 in Brazil, Indiana, to James and Juanita (Green) Fritzinger.

Wayne graduated from Arvada High School in 1965 and then he attended Western State College. It was at Western State College where he met the love of his life and mother of his future children, Marilyn Newell. They were united in marriage at Arvada Presbyterian Church in Arvada, Colorado on June 8, 1968. In the early years of their marriage, Wayne began his journey to become a minister by attending Denver Seminary while also working various other jobs. 

Wayne and Marilyn were blessed with three children, Kellie, David, and Natalie. Over Wayne and Marilyn's lifetime, they have made their homes in many different communities where Wayne was pastor, including: Denver Colorado at Immanuel Baptist; Moline, Illinois at Bethany Baptist; Hershey, Nebraska at Hershey Baptist; Kiron, Iowa at First Baptist; and finally in Fairmont, MN at St. Paul's UCC in Welcome.

Wayne loved his family deeply - he was compassionate, understanding, and full of grace. He was a fierce defender of his wife, children, and grandchildren and was always their biggest advocate. He cared for each and every community that he had called home over his 76 years, and kept up many friendships across the country.

Wayne led an active lifestyle throughout most of his life, and he greatly enjoyed the outdoors. Trips to Colorado were very special to Wayne and Marilyn, as it would always be their first 'home'. They felt like they were home as soon as they could start to see the Rocky Mountains in the distance. In his younger years, he would love to go camping, fishing, cross country skiing, and backpacking. In his later years he kept up his active lifestyle by swimming whenever he could. He also enjoyed reruns of his favorite shows, Gunsmoke and The Andy Griffith Show, and spending time with his HyVee coffee crew.

Wayne was a very spiritual man, and being able to preach God's word to his many congregations was something he was very proud of.

Wayne will forever be remembered by his loving wife of 55 years, Marilyn; children, Kellie Fischer, David (Carrie) Fritzinger, and Natalie (Brad) Schouten; grandchildren, Katiana, Alexandra, Kara, Taylor, Cameron, Stella, Owen, and Jack; sisters, Shirley Moyers and Cathy (Bill) Lutska; special niece, Lisa Moyers; brothers-in-law, Jim (Mary) Newell and Rick (Sandy) Newell; special friends, Pat and Suzanne Haley and their family; his church family; nieces; nephews; and many other relatives and friends.

Wayne is preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Juanita; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Jim and Twila (Blecha) Newell; his beloved dog, Baylee; and other relatives and friends.