Lorne Fretz

Lorne Fretz PHOTO.jpg

FRETZ: Lorne Erwin

It is with sadness that the family announces the passing of Lorne, to a much better place, on Sunday, January 4, 2015. Loving husband of Dorothy ( Reist) Fretz for 64 ½ years. Father of Bryan (Joanne) of Selkirk, Maurice (Luana) of Cambridge, Linda of Cambridge, Keith (Debbie) of Red Lake, Lloyd (Ann) of New Hamburg, and Sylvia (Bert) of Mississauga. Dear grandpa to 17 grandchildren, and many great grandkids as well as blended families. Oldest brother to Paul & Viola (both deceased) of Elmira, Joyce & Cecil Buschert of Calgary, Lois & Mel Evans of Simcoe. Lorne was born April 11, 1929, in Markham to Lewis & Barbara Fretz. They moved to Rainham when he was quite young. Lewis was the minister at Rainham Mennonite Church his whole life. Lorne went to school in the Selkirk area, and took Grade 13 at Niagara Christian College in Fort Erie. It was there that he met his future wife Dorothy. He taught school one year in Walpole Twp., one year in Minden, Ontario, then got married in 1950 to Dorothy. He taught two more years in Minden before returning to Selkirk. In the mid 50's. Lorne started to work at Winger Electric in Hagersville with Ken Winger. In the early 60's he started his own business "Erie Electronics" on the home farm, until his retirement. Lorne was an avid Ham Radio Operator "VE3 FUG", as well as a CB radio fan. In 2012 Lorne and Dorothy moved to Nithview Seniors Community in New Hamburg. As requested, there will be a graveside committal on Thursday, January 8, 2015 at 12:30 pm. at the Hoover Cemetery, 516 Lakeshore Road, Selkirk followed by a Memorial Service at the Rainham Mennonite Church, 173 Fisherville Rd. at 2 pm., with visitation one hour prior to service. Donations to Rainham Mennonite Church or Canadian Cancer Society through Central Haldimand Charities.

www.rhbanderson.com

Condolences

Posted by Paul Doughty on
Bryan, Joanne and family, my deepest sympathies to all of you on the passing of Lorne. I pray that you are able to find the peace, love and the shelter you need as you fondly remember him. May God be with you during this most difficult time of loss.
Sincerely,
Paul Doughty and family.
Posted by Roger Arnold on
Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with you, Bryan, and your families on the sudden passing of your dear father!! Heaven gained a great Christian man, he influenced and touched a lot of lives in his 86 years here on earth!! The earth needs more Christian men like your Father. From Harvey, Margaret and Roger Arnold!!
Posted by Larry D. Spicer on
Joyce called and gave me the news last night. Sorry to hear of Uncle Lorne's passing because of the sorrow if brings. At the same time I rejoice that he is in the presence of the God he loved and served his whole life. This was his anticipation! Please pass my sympathy along to all of the family. I will write and/or call your Mom later this week. My thoughts and prayers are with each of you. - cousin Larry
Posted by Faythe Brauen Colbert on
So many memories brought back today. What a blessing the whole Fretz family were to our church and family plus the community. Our sincere condolences to you Dorothy and Joyce. I hadn't remembered that Lorne had worked with Uncle Kenneth Winger. I remember the beautiful children Lorne and Dorothy raised. Condolences to all of you.j
Posted by Bruce & Jean Fretz on
Dear Fretz Family:

Thinking of you as you remember Lorne. May good memories help you as a family at this sad time, and we extend to you our sincere sympathy. Cousins Bruce & Jean Fretz
Posted by David and Susie Shantz on
Greetings Dorothy, Joyce and Cecil, Lois and Mel, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

We share our condolences with you in these moments of quiet reflection and sacred grieving. When Bob shared with us the news of Lorne's death we paused to remember him and his lovely family.

Dorothy, you and Lorne were always such gracious hosts. On many occasions you welcomed the Shantz "gang" into your home. I also need to include Lorne's brother Paul and my memories of the times when he shared words of encouragement to me. Joyce and Lois, you were like special sisters to us.

These things; faith in Christ, hospitality and friendship, you learned from your parents Pastor Lewis and Barbara. Yes, I shall always treasure the memories of your home and thank God for them.

Church services, choir programs, revival meetings, Thanksgiving meetings in October with lots of food and fun in the bush behind the Rainham church are all chapters in the story of our experiences together.

As you come together for the funeral/memorial service the scriptures that you have heard so many times at other funerals will now be personalized for you. May the Holy Spirit minister to you so that these promises of God become very real to you.

Christ over came death.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that who so ever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

"Death is swallowed up in victory"
"O death where is victory.
O death where is your sting.
Thanks be to God who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Cor. 15:54-56

Yes, Lorne believed and demonstrated throughout his life that he was guided and directed by the Holy Spirit. He has entered into his everlasting rest.

May we be faithful and live with the blessed hope of being joined together with him in heaven.

We shall be at the service with you in spirit.
Blessings,
David and Susie Shantz
Montreal QC
Posted by Beverley Fretz on
Dear Aunt Dorothy, Bryan, Maurice, Keith, Linda, Lloyd, Sylvia - as well as Aunt Joyce and Lois~
I am so sorry for your loss.

Aunt Dorothy, you did a beautiful job of writing the obituary and honouring Uncle Lorne's life. I can't imagine your loss having been with a devoted husband for almost 65 years - a life time. My thoughts are, and will be, with you during this time of difficult transition.

And to my cousins, if has been very difficult for me to loose my parents, thus, I empathize with you for your loss. Seemingly, the longer we have our parents on earth with us, the more we know them and love them, which makes the passing even harder for those that remain, despite knowing they are with us in another way. You are each very fortunate that your children (and some of their children) knew their grandfather. They will continue to be enriched because of it.

Aunt Joyce and Lois, it must be very difficult to loss a sibling - I haven't gone through this yet. My thoughts are with you, and I am glad you have each other to keep your childhood family memories alive.

I am grateful to be able to be present with you at the funeral today, bearing witness to Uncle Lorne's meaningful life. My sister Bonnie sends her regrets and warmest regards.

Sincerely,
Beverley Fretz (youngest daughter of deceased Paul and Viola Fretz)
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