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Nelda Fritz was called home by her Lord and Savior on May 9, 2026 at the age of 105. Nelda was born on March 14, 1921 in Fredericksburg, TX, to Erwin Paul and Cornelia Herber Oehler. Nelda had three brothers and two sisters, all who predeceased her: Wesley Oehler, Lorene Barker, Raymond Oehler, and Jeane Massey and Elmer Oehler. She grew up speaking fluent German and attending the German services at Zion Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg. After graduating from high school, Nelda moved for work to Kerrville, then to Austin and while visiting home one weekend, met her future husband, Louis Fritz. Louis was in the Navy and they were later married on November 3, 1942. He was soon stationed in San Francisco and then Brooklyn, NY where her first child, Louise, was born. They then moved to the south side of San Antonio where Nelda worked for Sears and where her second child, Larry was born, then transferred to the Central Park Sears when they moved to Hollywood Park. For years, Nelda was known as the “Candy Lady” in Hollywood Park from being the drop off point for Halloween and Easter candy. After 28 years working for Sears, she retired to care for her husband until his passing and then began years of traveling all over the world, including Europe, Australia, China and Alaska. She was also a long-time member of the Rebekah Circle at her church and Hollywood Park Women’s Club. Nelda’s husband Louis passed away in 1986 and her son Larry Neil Fritz passed away in 2022. She always said losing her son, Larry was the hardest thing she and any mother would ever endure. Nelda’s family consists of five generations - survived by her daughter, Louise Fritz Thompson (Don), grandsons Chris Thompson, Glenn Thompson (Shannon), Baton Rouge, LA; Shane Fritz (Amy), New Braunfels and Aaron Fritz, San Antonio, great-grandchildren, Heather Thompson Milligan (Justin), Jordan Thompson (Katie), Grant Thompson, Jack Thompson and T.J. Thompson, her great-great-grandchildren, Bryleigh Thompson, Aubrie Milligan, Benton Thompson and Hayes Thompson and by her daughter-n-law, Susan Goerke Fritz, New Braunfels and by numerous nieces and nephews. She was a loving wife, homemaker, devoted mother and grandmother whose focus in life was her family and her Christian life loving the Lord. The family would like to thank her special friends who made the last nearly 4 years a little easier while a resident of The Enclave: Mary Sponhaltz and Gwen Beyers, Pastor Caleb Jefferies of Shepherd King Lutheran Church who visited with her every Sunday and the nurses of The Enclave and Touchstone Hospice. Visitation will be at 10:00 am on Tuesday, May 19, 2026 with services following at 11:00 at Shepherd King Lutheran Church, Ramsey Dr. Pallbearers will be Chris Thompson, Glenn Thompson, Shane Fritz, Aaron Fritz, T.J. Thompson and Dennis Maurer. Honorary pallbearers will be Dean Beyers and Dan Sponhaltz. Interment will be in Mission Burial Park North next to her husband. In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to Shepherd King Lutheran Church or the charity of your choice.

Tributes

Nelda Elsie Oehler Fritz

March 14, 1921 - May 9, 2026