Ellen L. Fratzke

Obituary

Ellen Lorraine (Howe) Fratzke was born July 8, 1932, in Hutchinson to Lillian (Mraz) and Elmer Howe, Sr. She grew up on a farm near Lake Marion and attended Heatwole Country School through the 8th grade. She would always tell the story of her older sister, Caroline, being her teacher, and she would have to call her “Miss Howe”. She graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1950, with a highlight of her senior year being chosen Homecoming Queen.

Two years later, Ellen was united in marriage to Robert (Bob) Fratzke on June 28, 1952, at Northside Baptist church in Hutchinson. The marriage was blessed with five children. They resided on the Fratzke family farm, where they built a home and continued the family farming business. Bob passed away in 2001, and they had shared 48 years of loving marriage.

With a warm smile and a welcoming spirit, Ellen truly made a house a home. She was the heart of every family gathering and a gracious hostess through and through. She delighted in cooking and baking for a full house, and was always ready with a warm meal, a slice of dessert, or a kind word. Ellen filled her days with simple joys – doing “search-a-words”, watching the Minnesota Twins, tending to her vegetable and flower gardens, sewing and mending with care, and watching and feeding the birds. She took great pride in making her farm place beautiful and loved mowing and was proud to do most of the yard work herself, late into her 80’s!

She loved a good card game, especially Rook and also Spoons, where laughter was guaranteed and competition was friendly but fierce. Her touch of competitive fun also poured into her love of pitching softball and throwing bean bags with her kids and grandkids. No visit was ever too short, and as you headed out the door, you’d hear “Come again!” and always catch a glimpse of her waving out the picture window as you drove away. Ellen worked at County Market grocery store and later Cash Wise, offering samples or “demos” of new products, where she enjoyed chatting with customers. She was a breast cancer survivor for 23 years. Her faith was a guiding light in her life. She served faithfully as a deaconess and Sunday school teacher at Bethany Baptist Church in Hutchinson.

Ellen is survived by her five children: Jerilyn Breitkreutz, Kathy Darnell-Lennes (Dick), Rennae McCarthy (Bob), Bruce Fratzke, and Roger Fratzke (Kathy). 10 grandchildren: Lisa Breitkreutz, Sara Breitkreutz (Brandon Hasti), Briana Breitkreutz (Nick Tschida), Chad (Wendy) Darnell, Angela Kahl (Matthew Schroeder), Michael (Chelsi) Kahl, Christian McCarthy, Cameron McCarthy, Crystal Fratzke (Mason Williams) Niki Lueck (Aaron). 13 Great-Grandchildren: Jaxon Hasti, Hudson Darnell (Brittany Mons), Hattie Darnell Portner (Austin), Chandler Darnell, Tucker Darnell, Tristan Darnell, Holland Schroeder, Scarlett Schroeder, Hutch Kahl, Winnie Kahl, MyKenna Ramgren, Emri Williams, Wyatt Lueck. 1 Great-Great-Grandchild, Hevalynd Darnell, 3 sisters-in-law, and many nieces and nephews.

Ellen was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Fratzke; Son-in-law, Russell Darnell; and Grandson, Joe Darnell.