Frederick D. ‘Fritz’ Keefe, 93

Published 10:35 am Friday, October 11, 2013

Frederick D. ‘Fritz’ Keefe, 93, of Austin, died Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, at his home.

He was born Oct. 24, 1919, in Austin, Minn., to Daniel and Annastasia (Murphy) Keefe. A 1937 graduate of Austin High School, Fritz was employed as a foreman by Hormel Foods Corporation, retiring in 1978. He served his country in the United States Army in World War II. On July 12, 1945, Frederick was united in marriage to Ursula Gibart at Queen of Angels Catholic Parish in Austin. The Keefe family made their home in Austin and had seven children.

Survivors include six children, Patricia (Michael) Morrison of Stone Lake, Wisconsin, Kathleen (David) Hein of Walker, Ellen (Dan) Reed of Moloka’i, Hawaii, Martha Buxton of Austin, Mark (Debbie) Keefe of Rochester and Michael (Bonnie) Keefe of Austin; 15 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents Daniel and Annastasia Keefe; his wife Ursula on Sept. 20, 2013; a daughter Elizabeth in infancy; his twin brother, William Keefe, twin sisters Mary Ellen and Mary Evelyn in infancy, and a son-in-law, Mitchell Buxton.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2013, at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Austin with Fr. John Traufler officiating. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, with military honors by American Legion Post 91 and V.F.W. Post 1216. The family will greet friends one hour prior to the service at the church. The family prefers that memorials be directed to the Austin Catholic Schools Foundation. Services prearranged and performed by Worlein Funeral Home of Austin. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.