January 12, 1944 ~ August 29, 2026
Gary Edwin Fritch died on Saturday, August 29 at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Lincoln, Nebraska. He was 82 years old at the time of his passing.
Gary was born in Humboldt, Nebraska on January 12, 1944. He was a proud graduate of Table Rock High School, Peru State College, and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where he received his Master’s and Education Specialist degrees.
Gary married Mary Ellen Michal on March 23, 1963. Together, they had three sons: John, Bret, and Mark. Gary and Mary had a wonderful marriage of 63 years. Or, as Gary liked to tell people, “We’ve been married 63 years, but we’ve been together 65.” He also was a wonderful and loving father.
Gary was employed by four school districts during his career: Sterling, Palmyra-Bennet, Gothenburg, and Holdrege. He began his career as a math teacher, coach, and school bus driver in Sterling in 1966. He was named superintendent in 1970 at the age of 26. For several years, he was the youngest superintendent in the state. He became the superintendent in Palmyra-Bennet in 1975 and the superintendent in Gothenburg in 1994. He retired from Gothenburg in 2001 but then served as interim superintendent in Holdrege for one year. His superintendencies were marked by care and respect for students and staff, a commitment to providing a strong education within a conservative budget, and pride in his communities.
In addition to serving as a superintendent, Gary was very involved in the communities in which he lived. His contributions to the communities ranged from serving as Little League baseball coach to delivering Meals on Wheels; from serving on the city council to organizing informal golf outings for his friends.
Gary is survived by his wife Mary; sons John Edwin (Trudy), Bret Eric, and Mark Eugene (Jaime); six grandsons: Garrett Edwin (Becca Cress), Byron John, Eric Edwin (Jaycie), Nick Timothy, Jack Coleman, and Kalan Jacob; one great-granddaughter: Charleston “Charlie” June; a brother Barry; sister-in-law Kathy Michal; daughter-in-law Jeanne Fritch; and many, many family and friends.
A celebration of life service will be held at Gothenburg United Methodist Church on Friday, September 11, 2026 at 2:30 pm. A reception will immediately follow the service.
In addition, the family will hold a family-only service at the Table Rock Bohemian Cemetery on Sunday, September 13 at 1:30 pm. A reception for all friends and family will be held at the Table Rock High School Gymnasium at 2:00 pm following the family-only service at the cemetery.
The best way to remember Gary would be to play a game of catch with a family member or a kid in the neighborhood or organize a round of golf with some friends. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Gary Fritch Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel & Monuments 620 10th Street Gothenburg, NE 69138 (308)537-2313 and 317 Center Ave Curtis, NE 69025 (308) 367-4177 www.blasestrauser.com