Funeral Notices

Denman, Robert D. “Bud”, age 86 formerly of Minneapolis passed away peacefully December 26, 2011 surrounded by family.  He was a lifelong entrepreneur and the founder of American Telephone Systems which later became Avtex.  Bud was a WWII Air Force Veteran, an accomplished golfer and basketball lover who enjoyed life. Preceded in death by wife, Dorothy; mother, Charlotte and brother, John.  Survived by daughter, Debbie (Tim) Swanson; sons, Rick (Linda), Dave (Chelle), Bob (Dianne), Tom (Judy), Pat (Patty), Don (Barb), John (Lori) and Bill (Melissa); 26 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren and many relatives and friends.  A special thank you to the staff at Keystone Assisted Living in Prior Lake and The Gathering in Stillwater for the care given to Bud. Funeral Service 11AM, Friday, Dec. 30th at Gill Brothers Funeral Home, 5801 Lyndale Ave. S., Mpls., MN  with visitation beginning at 10AM.  Private Interment Lakewood Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers memorials preferred to The Gathering at Lakeview Hospice, 1715 Tower Drive West, Suite 330, Stillwater, MN 55082.

                                                “Ace in the Hole”

Robert "Bud" Denman was born March 18, 1925 to Charlotte (the original lady GaGa) and Leroy Denman, brought up in austere surroundings young Robert honed his survival skills at an early age when his father left him at age 2. He was raised by his mother and grandmother in Southeast Minneapolis. He learned the fine art of rapport and found his tenacity in his grandmothers boarding house for girls on the U of M campus. The bedrock of his persona was built in that era and neighborhood. Ever the underdog, He loved to tell of his many victorious exploits at Van Cleve Park and Marshall University High School where he was a key ingredient to a 4 year run as city basketball champions in the early Forties. He was proud of his service in the 819th Bombardment Squadron 30th Bombardment Group during WWII serving in the Asiatic Pacific theater. Soon after returning he was on a “fishing” trip to Brainerd with his buddies where he met Dorothy Breckheimer and danced the night away at Bar Harbor. Smitten for life! And what a life they had together, an All American adventure that was his proudest accomplishment. Married in 1948 Bud and Dot raised 9 children (plus 26 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren) and Bud’s prize dog Duke in South Minneapolis and it has not been the same place since. When Dot passed away in 1994 his guiding light was gone. Down but not out, he rekindled his spirit spending 7 glorious years in Palm Springs, living on a golf course with great friend Jan Kerwood. Bud returned to Minneapolis in 2002 and the family is very thankful to have had some great quality time to hangout with the Old Master. A guy’s guy Bud loved sports, especially golf, he enjoyed a little gambling, a cig now and then and an occasional “bump”. Never one to hurry or worry Bud had a very successful career that took him from Car Sales, to Sporting Goods Sales, to owning a large Furniture Store, and to starting and growing a very successful Telecommunications business. He loved to compete and he cherished the win and had his share in all facets of Life. He got the most out of everything he had! Bud had a very graceful exit at age 86 on Monday December 26, 2011. Dot and GaGa waiting with open arms wondering where he’s been. He’s been with us and we will miss him dearly.

                                                    www.GILLBROTHERS.com  

                                               Minneapolis, MNl   612-861-6088

Smith, Nancey L. age 78 of Prior Lake, MN formerly of Longwood, Fl and Bloomington, MN.  Survived by husband, Vernon E.; children, Robert (Sasha) Smith of Southlake, TX, Lynette (Jeff) Farnell of Prior Lake, MN; grandchildren, Ryan, Jennifer, Nicole, Shannon, Lindsay, Dylan, Dominic; 5 great-grandchildren; brother, Cecil (DeeDee) Melton of Elk River, MN.  Nancey is also preceded in death by her grandson, Daniel.  Funeral service, Wednesday 1 PM at Gill Brothers Funeral Home, 9947 Lyndale Ave. So. Bloomington, MN. Visitation 1 hour prior to service.

                                                        www.GILLBROTHERS.com

                                     BLOOMINGTON, MN                             952 888 7771

Lois Mary Fritchman (Nee Gage) age 86, passed away peacefully on December 21, 2011 surrounded by family. Preceded in death by husband, Carl; son, Gerald; daughter, Jean; parents, John and Violet (Putnam) Gage; sisters, Rosalie, Rita and Myrtle; brothers, Edward and Eugene. Survived by children, Linda, Ronald (Diane), Donna, Steve (Denise), Sue; sister, Bernice, one brother-in-law; six sister’s-in-law; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral Service, 11 AM, Thursday at Gill Brothers Funeral Home 9947 Lyndale Ave S. Bloomington. Visitation starting at 10. Interment Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

                                          www.GILLBROTHERS.com

                                         Bloomington 952.888.7771

Fritzen, Elizabeth M.

Age 96 of Minneapolis, MN.  Born February 2, 1915 in Menomonie, Wisconsin to Nicholas and Catherine (Hofacker) Schwebach.  Preceded in death by husband Winslow E. Fritzen.  Survived by children, Jerry (June), Janet Rudie, Charlie (Sandy), Monica and Doris Firtzen; 12 grandchildren, Mike (Cindy) Fritzen, Sharon (Jim) Juliar, Barb Fritzen, Teresa (Doug) Pfau, Tom (Mary) Rudie, Sandra (Mark) Reinhardt, Ken (Kelly) Rudie, Dennis (Emily) Rudie, Chrissy (Isaac) Raichert, Nick (Chrissy) Fritzen, Dan (Jody) Fritzen, and Roxy (Josh) Schwab; 29 great grandchildren; and 6 great great grandchildren; sister Catherine Moris.  Mass of Christian Burial ~ Friday, 10 AM at the Church of the Annunciation, 509 West 54th Street, Minneapolis, MN.  Interment ~ Lakewood Cemetery.  Visitation Thursday 4-8 PM at Gill Brothers Funeral Home, 5801 Lyndale Avenue South with Rosary at 7 PM.  Visitation also one hour prior to mass at church.

www.GILLBROTHERS.com

Minneapolis Chapel   612-861-6088