Carl "Fritz" F Obermeier

Carl F. "Fritz" Obermeier, age 87, Watertown, formerly of Crocker, died peacefully on Wednesday afternoon, December 27, 2017 in the Jenkins Living Center at Watertown where he had resided for 2 years.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, January 3, 2018 from 4-7 PM at the Furness Funeral Home in Clark and one hour prior to the funeral service at the church. Funeral services will be held Thursday, January 4, 2018 at 10:30 AM at the Crocker Lutheran Church at Crocker with Minister Marion Grimes officiating.  The organist will be his wife, Marvine, with special music by a daughter, Pam Van Gilder- singing, "Because He Lives", a son, Bill Henry Obermeier – playing the harmonica "In the Sweet Bye and Bye", and a granddaughter, Baylee Obermeier-singing "It is Well With My Soul", she will also be a reader, "Is Your Farm For Sale". The congregation will sing "Day by Day" & "Faith of Our Fathers". Susan Olson will provide the prelude and postlude. The honorary casketbearers will be his grandchildren and great-grandchildren with the active casketbearers being his six children. Burial will follow at the St. Thomas Cemetery of Crocker with only the immediate family members attending. The remainder of those attending the funeral can go to the Bradley Community Center for a dinner and a time of fellowship.

Carl Frederick Obermeier was born August 2, 1930 at Crocker, SD to parents Henry and Anna (Bjerke) Obermeier. He attended high school in Bradley where he played basketball for the Bradley Orioles. Fritz was the manager/shortstop for the Lily baseball team, when Crocker did not have a team, where he earned the nickname of "Mighty Mouse" for his strong hitting ability and played on the Clark team for a year. He graduated from Bradley High School in 1949 and went on to Northern Normal (Northern State Teachers College) at Aberdeen and obtained his teacher's certificate. He taught for a time at Mallard Slough School.

On July 20, 1954, he married Marvine Fromdahl in Denver. While on the farm, along with the crops, he totally enjoyed raising cattle – especially feeding them, collecting guns, and driving John Deere tractors. An annual fall ritual was on the opening day of pheasant hunting, Lyle Reppe, Bill Obermeier and Fritz would always hunt. He and brother Bill re-purchased the Foley land, homesteaded by his grandfather, to add to the farm. In 1972, he received a conservation award. Several years ago, Fritz and Marvine took a Caribbean cruise, while on the cruise, Fritz won a trophy for trap shooting. Fritz and Marvine moved to a home on Lake Kampeska near Watertown in 1993 and in 2004, they decided country living suited them best. They purchased the Clinton Clark farm in the Crocker Hills and lived there until 4 years ago, when they moved to StoneyBrook Suites, Assisted Living, in Watertown.

Fritz was a confirmed and life-long member of the Crocker Lutheran Church where he served on the church council and sang in the men's chorus and in the Bradley-Crocker choir. He was a member of Lutheran Brotherhood, served on the Crocker School Board, was a Spring Valley Township supervisor, and a Lifetime Member of the NRA. A favorite pastime of his was playing whist, enjoying beating anyone, anytime! Fritz will long be remembered for "that twinkle" in his eyes!

Preceding him in death are his parents; brothers Henry W. "Son", Clayton, Walter (Mary Lou), William (Jeanne), Clifford Obermeier and sister, Evelyn (Jimmie) Britton; son-in-law Fred Van Gilder; granddaughter, Nichol Lotzer; great grandson Tucker Van Gilder; and a special hired hand, Jim Strichertz.

Grateful for having shared in his life are his wife, Marvine of Watertown; children Pam, Carla (Charles), Chess (Maureen), Kipp (Betty), Jake, and Bill Henry (Krystin); grandchildren, Colette (Tim), Gates, Gannon (Brandi), Dustin, Lucas (Sara), Grant, Kira (Tom), Tess (Guido), Jeremy (Kara), Baylee, Maxx, James, Henry, Ava, Brad and Scott (Becky); and great-grandchildren, Gunner, Grey, Xaina, Sutton, Gradee, Turner, and Teagan, Nicholas, Emily, Matthew, Michael, Deegan, and Paxtyn. He also leaves sisters-in-law, Betty Obermeier and Jean Obermeier.

Funeral arrangements are with the Furness Funeral Home at Clark where there is an on-line registry at www.furnessfuneralhome.com