Miriam Fritzemeier

Miriam Fritzemeier, 88, of Sioux Falls, SD, died Tuesday, May 19, 2015 at Sanford Hospital. Miriam Jane Fritzemeier, third daughter of Matthew D. and Loretta Smith, was born on June 11, 1926 in Puebla, Mexico. After living in Puebla for 6 years, the family relocated to the United States. She is a graduate of Mitchell High School and Dakota Wesleyan University. After college, she spent a year teaching for her father at the Insituto Americano in Panama City. She was married to Baltus Fritzemeier on June 12, 1950 in Alpena, SD. Mim was a social worker for the State of SD in the early years of her marriage. Fritzs career in education took them to Sioux Falls in 1956. After their 4 children were born (2 girls and 2 boys), Mim went back to work as a Spanish teacher at Washington High School. She retired in 1990, after 22 years of teaching. She volunteered at the Washington Paviltion, and was a member of P.E.O. Sisterhood, the South Dakota Education Association, the Retired Teachers Association, and a founding member of Hilltop United Methodist Church. In all aspects of her life, Mim lived a Christian life with integrity, passion, commitment, humor, grace, enthusiasm, and above all, love. She was cherished by everyone she met, especially by the members of Hilltop United Methodist Church. The world is different without Mims incredible spirit. She ferociously loved her four children and led them to build positive lives of commitment, service and love. She is deeply missed, especially by Fritz, her husband of 65 years. Miriam is survived by her husband, Fritz Fritzemeier of Sioux Falls; four children, Janna (Dave) Malde of Sioux Falls; Beth (David) Freed of Redondo Beach, California; Jed (Nancy) Fritzemeier of Chelsea, Michigan; Todd (Katie) Fritzemeier of Brookings, SD; 10 grandchildren, Melissa, Beth, Cari, Lori, Mark, Rebekah, Elliot, Wesley, Ella and Austin; and 13 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Matt.