Vonda K., nee Blum, Fritsche, 53, of New Athens, IL; born on October 6, 1964 in Red Bud, IL; passed away on Monday, October 9, 2017 at her home surrounded by her family. Mrs. Fritsche was a Pharmacy Technician and she loved her work family at Copperbend Pharmacy. She attended St. Agatha Catholic Church. Vonda enjoyed playing bingo and shopping, mostly for her grandkids. She loved taking Harley rides with her husband and listening to John Cougar Mellencamp and Bob Seger. Most of all, Vonda loved spending time and being with her family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents – Guilford “Gilly” and Patsy, nee Maher, Blum.
Vonda is survived by her loving husband – Todd Fritsche whom she married on October 10, 1980 in Belleville, IL. Her children – Chad (Ashley) Fritsche of Murray, KY; Brandon (Megan) Fritsche of New Athens, IL; Erica (Chad) Brueggemann of New Athens, IL. Her grandchildren – Kyle Fritsche; Bradon Fritsche; Brantley Fritsche; Nash Brueggemann; Annie Brueggemann. Three sisters – Gina (Sam) Houston of Baldwin, IL; Lynn (Glenn) Sauerwein of Walsh, IL; Rocky Koenig of Lakeland, FL. Also surviving are her favorite aunt and uncle; Linda and Johnny Maher of New Athens and by her beloved dog – Cooper.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or the American Cancer Society.
Visitation: Friends may call at St. Agatha Catholic Church in New Athens, IL on Sunday, October 15, 2017 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m..
Funeral: A prayer service will be held at St. Agatha Catholic Church in New Athens, IL on Sunday, October 15, 2017 at 6:30 p.m. with Father Mark Reyling officiating.
Heil-Schuessler Funeral Home in New Athens, IL is in charge of arrangements.
Our sincere condolences to the Fritsche and Blum families for your loss.
Sincerely, Lynne and Lori Schneider
Posted by: Lori Schneider – Paderborn, IL – Acquaintance Dec 18, 2017
ReplyMy heart is deeply saddened of the loss of Our Dear Vonda …I will cherish the thursday before her Birthday when I got to spend precious time with her …thank you from the bottom of my heart …she was a wonderful wife,mom ,grandma,sister,niece,and a SPECIAL friend I will cherish all the memories we all shared with her together …She will forever be in are hearts and with us all …always watching over sending huge hug to all of you
Posted by: Kara Smith – Belleville, IL – Friend Oct 18, 2017
ReplyPraying for peace and comfort for family and friends.
Posted by: Patricia Parrish – Murray, KY Oct 17, 2017
ReplyOh Todd we were so sorry to hear this news. Holding you the kids and the rest of the family in our prayers. Not sure we can call on you Stan just got out of hospital and recouperating. Please know we will be thinking of you and yours.
Posted by: Stan and Bev Lewis – Marissa – Family Friend Oct 15, 2017
ReplyI would like to send my condolences to all of Vondas family. I am truly sorry for your loss and I will be keeping all of you in my thoughts and prayers at this time R.I.P. Vonda
Posted by: Judy Kaiser – Belleville, IL – Friend Oct 14, 2017
ReplyI would like to send my condolences to all of Vondas family. I am truly sorry for your loss and I will be keeping all of you in my thoughts and prayers at this time
Posted by: Judy Kaiser – Belleville, IL – Friend Oct 14, 2017
ReplyPrayers for the family. Vonda was a classmate at St. Agathas, a year younger than me. Strength is in the Lord.
Posted by: Melanie Wayland – MO – classmate Oct 13, 2017
ReplyLynn,
I’m so sorry to hear about your sister. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers during this time.
Posted by: Jamie Putnam – St. Louis, MO Oct 13, 2017
ReplyPrayers for the family. May she rest in the arms of an angel ♥♥♥
Chrissy, Kenny, and Carline Blum
Posted by: Chrissy Blum – Chicago, IL – Family Oct 11, 2017
ReplyTo Todd, Chad, Brandon, and Erica, Von was truly my dearest friend for life, I loved her like a sister and will cherish every memory I have of her. Your family is truly one for the records. Von and I used to laugh at how nobody thought her and Todd would ever make it and look at you now 37 years later, 3 awesome children and the beautiful grandchildren she has, her and Todd proved them all wrong, she loved
Posted by: Shirley (Trog) Jones – Swansea, IL – Family Friend Oct 11, 2017
ReplyI’m so very sorry to read about Vonda passing. I knew her from when she worked at Dr. Mauch’s office. Such a sweet and kind person. I’m sure she will be missed by everyone that knew get. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.Q
Posted by: Bernadette Recker Dehn – Belleville, IL – Friend Oct 11, 2017
ReplyVonda ,
I will always remember when I first met you at a family reunion which was the first time I had met anyone on the Maher side and you made Beth and I feel welcomed and that we belonged there so thank you for that. I didn’t get to see you much over the last 27 years since that first meeting but we talked off and on over the years, I only wish we would have taken that bike
Posted by: Mike Maher – Grain Valley, MO – Family Oct 11, 2017
ReplyMy sincere sympathy to the Fritsche and Blum families.
Posted by: Jeanne Jansen – Fairview Heights, IL – Family Friend Oct 10, 2017
ReplyI’m so sorry to hear the news. Vonda’s larger than life presence will forever be missed.
Posted by: Marcia Owens – Friend Oct 10, 2017
ReplyYour smile and spirit will never be forgotten my friend…fly high
Posted by: Lori Parks – Belleville, IL – Friend Oct 10, 2017
ReplyMy forever friend, you were taken too soon. I have many fond memories of our days spent together from early years to the most recent. You will always be remembered and forever in my heart. Rest In Peace. Fly high and one day we will meet again!
Posted by: Jane Burk-Hopkins – Belleville, IL – Friend Oct 10, 2017
ReplyDear Erica and Family,
Words cannot express how sadden I am for all of you. It is so difficult losing someone you are so very close to in life. Your mom is a lady that will be remember by so many people.
Your mom was so very kind to my family when my dad’s cancer was terminal. She made a wonderful dinner for my family. She knew us through your words about my family, and that shows the character of your mom.
Posted by: Stephanie Berry – Mascoutah, IL – Friend Oct 10, 2017
ReplyThis site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Dear Erica and Family,
Words cannot express how sadden I am for all of you. It is so difficult losing someone you are so very close to in life. Your mom is a lady that will be remember by so many people.
Your mom was so very kind to my family when my dad’s cancer was terminal. She made a wonderful dinner for my family. She knew us through your words about my family, and that shows the character of your mom.
Posted by: Stephanie Berry – Mascoutah, IL – Friend Oct 10, 2017
~Rest peacefully old friend~
Posted by: Kim Hampton – New Athens, IL – Friend Oct 10, 2017
Rest peacefully old friend~
Posted by: Kim Hampton – New Athens, IL – Friend Oct 10, 2017
Rest peacefully old friend
Posted by: Kim Hampton – New Athens, IL – Friend Oct 10, 2017
My forever friend, you were taken too soon. I have many fond memories of our days spent together from early years to the most recent. You will always be remembered and forever in my heart. Rest In Peace. Fly high and one day we will meet again!
Posted by: Jane Burk-Hopkins – Belleville, IL – Friend Oct 10, 2017
Your smile and spirit will never be forgotten my friend…fly high
Posted by: Lori Parks – Belleville, IL – Friend Oct 10, 2017
I’m so sorry to hear the news. Vonda’s larger than life presence will forever be missed.
Posted by: Marcia Owens – Friend Oct 10, 2017
My sincere sympathy to the Fritsche and Blum families.
Posted by: Jeanne Jansen – Fairview Heights, IL – Family Friend Oct 10, 2017
Vonda ,
I will always remember when I first met you at a family reunion which was the first time I had met anyone on the Maher side and you made Beth and I feel welcomed and that we belonged there so thank you for that. I didn’t get to see you much over the last 27 years since that first meeting but we talked off and on over the years, I only wish we would have taken that bike
Posted by: Mike Maher – Grain Valley, MO – Family Oct 11, 2017
I’m so very sorry to read about Vonda passing. I knew her from when she worked at Dr. Mauch’s office. Such a sweet and kind person. I’m sure she will be missed by everyone that knew get. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.Q
Posted by: Bernadette Recker Dehn – Belleville, IL – Friend Oct 11, 2017
To Todd, Chad, Brandon, and Erica, Von was truly my dearest friend for life, I loved her like a sister and will cherish every memory I have of her. Your family is truly one for the records. Von and I used to laugh at how nobody thought her and Todd would ever make it and look at you now 37 years later, 3 awesome children and the beautiful grandchildren she has, her and Todd proved them all wrong, she loved
Posted by: Shirley (Trog) Jones – Swansea, IL – Family Friend Oct 11, 2017
Prayers for the family. May she rest in the arms of an angel ♥♥♥
Chrissy, Kenny, and Carline Blum
Posted by: Chrissy Blum – Chicago, IL – Family Oct 11, 2017
Into His loving arms we commend your spirit Vonda. XXOO
Posted by: A friend Oct 12, 2017
Lynn,
I’m so sorry to hear about your sister. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers during this time.
Posted by: Jamie Putnam – St. Louis, MO Oct 13, 2017
Prayers for the family. Vonda was a classmate at St. Agathas, a year younger than me. Strength is in the Lord.
Posted by: Melanie Wayland – MO – classmate Oct 13, 2017
I would like to send my condolences to all of Vondas family. I am truly sorry for your loss and I will be keeping all of you in my thoughts and prayers at this time
Posted by: Judy Kaiser – Belleville, IL – Friend Oct 14, 2017
I would like to send my condolences to all of Vondas family. I am truly sorry for your loss and I will be keeping all of you in my thoughts and prayers at this time R.I.P. Vonda
Posted by: Judy Kaiser – Belleville, IL – Friend Oct 14, 2017
Oh Todd we were so sorry to hear this news. Holding you the kids and the rest of the family in our prayers. Not sure we can call on you Stan just got out of hospital and recouperating. Please know we will be thinking of you and yours.
Posted by: Stan and Bev Lewis – Marissa – Family Friend Oct 15, 2017
Praying for peace and comfort for family and friends.
Posted by: Patricia Parrish – Murray, KY Oct 17, 2017
My heart is deeply saddened of the loss of Our Dear Vonda …I will cherish the thursday before her Birthday when I got to spend precious time with her …thank you from the bottom of my heart …she was a wonderful wife,mom ,grandma,sister,niece,and a SPECIAL friend I will cherish all the memories we all shared with her together …She will forever be in are hearts and with us all …always watching over sending huge hug to all of you
Posted by: Kara Smith – Belleville, IL – Friend Oct 18, 2017
Our sincere condolences to the Fritsche and Blum families for your loss.
Sincerely, Lynne and Lori Schneider
Posted by: Lori Schneider – Paderborn, IL – Acquaintance Dec 18, 2017