Today we lost the ultimate Cubs fan and the “King of Hearts”, Fritz Hiel, second child of Peter and Madeline Hiel, died of natural causes, on March 17th, surrounded by the love of his family.
Fritz was born on 1/2/1925 in Trenton, New Jersey, with Charles his older brother and Peter the youngest. Fritz grew up and went to school in Trenton, playing soccer throughout his childhood.
Not quite old enough for the military Fritz lied his way into the Navy. During WW II he served on several Naval vessels in the Pacific, manning the gyro compass. Ask us about the “Jack of Diamonds” story. After the war Fritz, or as his Navy tattoo reads “FRED”, returned to the States and found his way to Chicago, Illinois.
The real story begins here when he spotted a young woman lying on the beach on the shores of Lake Michigan, Dorothy, the soon to be “love of his life”, found this sailor, fed him some lunch, and stayed with him for 70 years.
Fritz soon found work after the war with Sears Roebuck and started his family only 2 blocks from Wrigley Field. There, between Cubs games, the family began, first with Michael, soon followed by Jeffrey and Lisa.
With the help of the G.I. bill Fritz and his young family moved out of the city to the new and expanding suburbs into a new house in the small town of Carpentersville, IL.
Still working for Sears Fritz’s family began to grow, grow and grow.
After a lull of ten years, Matthew, Madelyn, Julie, and Christine followed, rounding out the family to seven children. Besides being very active at home, Fritz was very active in his church, St. Monica’s and served on the City Council, and Police Commission.
As the family grew and started moving away, Fritz and Dorothy followed Michael and Jeffrey to Montana in 1997. Here he became active with the Senior Center helping with the “pinochle card” program, volunteering with his wife at Hawthorne School library, until health problems forced him to quit. Helena was now his home and there was never a person he met that was not a friend. He sincerely was interested in what they were doing and who they were.
It took many years of family prodding to get Fritz to go to the VA at Fort Harrison, he always said that the VA was for the “real sick”, vets. Finally he started go there and has had nothing but great, quality care until the end, and the family is greatful.
During his last years health problems continued and help was needed. Daughter Madelyn and her husband Ken moved next to Fritz and Dorothy and with the additional help from Home Sweet Home health care continued to care for him through the end.
A special thanks goes out to Betty (Home Sweet Home) and Frontier Hospice whose compassionate efforts helped the family during these trying times.
Fritz was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy, who passed last September, his parents, Peter and Madeline born in Palanka, Hungary, and his brothers, Charles and Peter.
His legacy continues with Michael and Debra Hiel, Jeffrey and Terry Hiel, Madelyn (Hiel) and Ken Thomas, all of Helena, Lisa (Hiel) and Mark Kolkovich Hartwell, GA, Matthew and Renee Hiel of Jefferson GA, Julie and Wilbur Meyer of McHenry, IL and Christine and Boedy Gann, of Elberta, Alabama.
Grandchildren—Sarah Linden, Peter Hiel, Kaylee Hiel, Jaclyn Hiel, Brittany Chandler, Lauren Maness, and Carly Thomas, all of Montana. Richard Kolkovich, CO, Amanda Calvo, GA, Emily Adams, and Tori Hiel, GA, Emilie Meyer, and Malarie Meyer, IL, Jacob, Miranda Engel, IL, Zachary Engel, and Evan Gann, AL.
Great-grandchildren—–Henry, Adela, Riley, Trevor, Daxyn, Arthur, Lyndon, Alexander, Kadyn, McKenzie, Kennedy, Scarlett.
A Funeral Mass celebrating their lives will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 26, 2019 at the Cathedral of St. Helena, 530 N. Ewing St. in Helena. Rite of Committal for Fritz and Dottie will be held at Montana State Veterans Cemetery following Mass. A reception will follow the burial at the Carolina Bed and Breakfast, 309 N. Ewing St. in Helena. In lieu of flowers, memorials in honor of Fritz and Dottie are suggested to the Friendship Center, 1430 Sanders St., Helena, MT 59601, or Angel Fund, P.O. Box 7436, Helena, MT 59604 or Frontier Home Health and Hospice, 800 Front St., Helena, MT 59601. Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Fritz.
Service Schedule
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Wednesday June 26, 2019
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N. Ewing St.
Helena, Montana 59601
Burial with Military Honors
Following Mass
Wednesday June 26, 2019
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Heroe's Road
Fort Harrison, Montana
Reception
Following the graveside service
Wednesday June 26, 2019
Carolina Bed & Breakfast
309 N Ewing St
Helena, Montana 59601
Service Schedule
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Wednesday June 26, 2019
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N. Ewing St.
Helena, Montana 59601
Burial with Military Honors
Following Mass
Wednesday June 26, 2019
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Heroe's Road
Fort Harrison, Montana
Reception
Following the graveside service
Wednesday June 26, 2019
Carolina Bed & Breakfast
309 N Ewing St
Helena, Montana 59601
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Lynn Maness says
My thoughts and prayers to all the family. Fritz and Dorothy were wonderful people and we are blessed to have had them as family.
The Maness Family
Patti st joseph spindler says
Your mom and dad touches my heart. I’ll remember them with love until we meet again.
Jim Nolan says
Although I didn’t know Fritz, his son Jeff is one of the finest men I’ve met. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, so I’m sure Fritz was a great guy as well.
I’m sorry for your loss. It sounds like he had a wonderful life.
Goose and Jan says
What an amazing and wonderful man Fritz was. We have only known him a short time but loved the times we shared. The twinkle in his eye was permanent and he had a way of making us laugh. We are so so sorry for your loss and know that he will be managing those Cubbies from above, guiding them to another championship! Much love to your family!
Dee Turner says
Mike and Debra, I’m so sorry to read of Fritz’s passing. His obituary was fun and informative! I’m glad you made it back to Helena when you did. My sincere sympathy. Dee
Deb Jacobsen says
We still miss Fritz and Dorothy at Hawthorne. They both have left a wonderful legacy of service and kindness in our school community and our greater Helena community. Great gratitude to Fritz and Dorothy from Hawthorne School.
Deb Jacobsen, Principal
Yvonne Jenkins says
I’m very sorry about the loss of your loved one. Remember the Bible’s promise at Revelation 21: 3, 4. May Jehovah comfort you during this time.
Debbie Zuidema says
I’m so sorry for your loss and sending thoughts and prayers Madeline and family.
Please let me know if there is anything that I can do for you.
Debbie
Carol Henderson says
Loved playing pinochle with Fritz at the Senior Center. Trump was always “Hearts and Flowers” He was a true gentleman. We always talked about his volunteer work at Hawthorne school (my school) and how he loved visiting with my brother Mick Tucker as he was delivering the food to the cafeteria. He never forgot a name, he never forgot to stop and talk. And yes — did he ever love his Cubs and his Dorothy! God Bless them both!
Daniel Mack says
Babe Ruth, in the afterlife: “Hey, I know that guy!”
Jeff, Terry and considerable family–sorry for your loss. Always loved Fritz’s stories! They were a great couple.