of Scranton, AR
August 2, 1949 - September 19, 2016
Karen Dean (Sutherland) Fritchie, 67, a resident of Scranton passed away Monday, September 19, 2016 at Mercy Hospital in Fort Smith.
She was born August 2, 1949, in Ozark to her mother, Juanita (Covert) Starr. Karen married the love of her life, Bill Fritchie on March 22, 1969, in Fort Smith. She retired as the director of religious education at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Clarksville. Karen volunteered in several roles such as former volunteer director of religious education at St. Ignatius Catholic Church, a dedicated 4-H leader, an Extension Homemaker Club member serving in numerous leadership capacities at the local and county levels and a member of T.O.P.S. (Take Off Pounds Sensibly). In addition to her mother she is preceded in death by her brother, Jimmy Brandenburg.
Survivors include her devoted husband of forty six and a half years, Bill Fritchie of Scranton; two loving children, Michael Fritchie and his wife, Valerie of Plainfield, Indiana and Rebecca Degitz and her husband, Brent of Anderson, Indiana; three siblings, Doris Skurdahl of Barling, Herbert Brandenburg of Barling and Bobby Brandenburg and his wife, Mary of Fort Smith; three endearing grandchildren, Eric, Emily and Evan Fritchie, all of Plainfield, Indiana; extended family and numerous friends.
Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Thursday, September 22, 2016, at the St. Ignatius Catholic Church with the rosary service beginning at 7:00 p.m.
The memorial mass will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, September 23, 2016, at the St. Ignatius Catholic Church with Father William Wewers and Father Joseley Kalathil officiating. Burial will be private in St. Ignatius Catholic Cemetery under the direction of Roller Funeral Home in Paris.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the religious education programs at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Clarksville or at St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Scranton.
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16 Condolence(s)
Kay Mcgowan Plank
Sunday, September 25, 2016
You could not ask for a better friend than Karen. We met when we started high school in 1964. We hit it off from the start. We have stayed friends all these years. Sometime we would go a while before we talked but the minute we reconnected it was like we just talked. Was in Karen and Bills wedding---such a beautiful wedding---beautiful bride and handsome groom. I will sure miss Karen and all our talks. We shared alot of pride in our children and grandchildren. I got to see her day before she passed and we visited a few minutes. She was so tired--but Karen being Karen she tried to carry on a conversation and DID!!!! I love you Karen Fritchie and will miss you every day. I know God has a beautiful angel that will shine brightly. Till we meet again my friend.
Donna Henderson
Saturday, September 24, 2016
Bill, Michael and Becky: There aren't any words to tell you how much she meant to me. In the 4-H years she was always there taking care of whatever needed taking care of. I could always count on Karen to get things done. That's just the way she was. Always a leader in whatever she was doing. She will be greatly missed in the community. She will be loved forever in our hearts.
Brittany Singleton
Thursday, September 22, 2016
Karen helped me become involved at Holy Redeemer Church in Clarksville. She helped me feel welcome and I really enjoyed the time we spent together.
Sheila Ross Nichols
Wednesday, September 21, 2016
I am so sorry, and you are all in our thoughts and prayers!
Chuck and Dedee Bauer
Wednesday, September 21, 2016
Prayer for Karen and her family.
Jane Davis Thompson
Wednesday, September 21, 2016
Bill, know that my thoughts are with you and your family. Karen was always a great inspiration to the community. Prayers are with you.
Sharon Morris
Wednesday, September 21, 2016
My thoughts and prayers are with friends and family.
Denise Kimbrough
Wednesday, September 21, 2016
Prayers for Fritchie family.
Susan Johnson
Tuesday, September 20, 2016
Karen, you were always an inspiration to me, my mentor in religious education and one of the reasons I went on to get a Master's in Theology. Oh, the number of young lives you have touched and impacted. God bless you and comfort your loved ones.
Shannon Stowe
Tuesday, September 20, 2016
Thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time. Karen was such a precious soul! I always enjoyed seeing at DOLR events. She was always helpful and patient! She will be missed!
Judy Taylor
Tuesday, September 20, 2016
Dear family! I'm so sorry for your loss. Karen was a wonderful person and she will really be missed. Love to you all and prayers.
Doug Stoufer
Tuesday, September 20, 2016
Aunt Karen Love and miss You already! See You When We all get to Heaven. RIP!
Sara Venable
Tuesday, September 20, 2016
Our thoughts and prayers are with friends and family.
Carol (Brewster) Heffley
Tuesday, September 20, 2016
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. I have so many wonderful memories of Karen from 4-H and E-H. She will be missed.
Lisa Vaughan
Tuesday, September 20, 2016
My prayers for family and friends.....Karen was a sweet lady
Tina Forst
Tuesday, September 20, 2016
My prayers for Karen's family and friends. She was one of a kind and I was proud to call her my friend. May she rest in peace.