Dale Fritzler

Dale Fritzler was born on March 12, 1937 in Fort Collins, Colorado. He lived in Wellington and Timnath, Colorado where his parents, Fred and Loraine, farmed. Dale and his twin brother Don shared many fun times during their younger years, what one didn't think of, the other would. The family later moved to Watkins, CO where they purchased a large ranch and farm. March 16, 1946, they were excited to welcome a baby sister Donna Loraine (Janice). Dale attended grade school at Watkins and graduated from Bennett High School. On the ranch they broke and rode horses for their dad. Janice did trick riding when she was a young girl. Dale was a professional saddle bronc rider, bull rider and steer wrestler. He started participation in rodeos at age 16 where he rode his first bull in Brighton, Colorado. In 1983 Dale took his final ride in Springfield, Colorado. When the horse fell and Dale fractured his back, he decided it was time to hang up the saddle. Dale met his future wife, Shirley Ann Major, while at a rodeo in Oklahoma. They were united in marriage On December 20, 1958 in Denver, Colorado. At the time, Dale was working at Gates Rubber, CO at night and running cattle and farming during the day. Their first son, Kenneth Dale, was born September 8, 1960. A daughter, Donna Lea, arrived November 22, 1961. Their family became complete on August 16, 1967 when Dwayne Lee was born. The Fritzler's purchased five acres near Arapahoe road and I-25. On this acreage they built a rodeo arena where they held gymkhanas and practiced bronc and bull riding. After 15 years, Dale retired from Gates Rubber, CO. and started looking for a ranch and farm. In 1973 they purchased land near Two Buttes, Colorado. Many improvements were made to this farm when Dale installed sprinkers and built Fritzler Feedlot. Dale loved Baca County and served on many community boards including: Walsh Schoool Board, BOCES, FHA committee, and 30 years of service to the Baca County Conservation District from 1974 to 2004. He was also an Honorary 4-H and FFA member. He was so proud of his talented, hard-working children. They were raised to know how to work and take care of themselves and their children. The grandchildren are an example of the love and upbringing of their parents. Nine beautiful grandchildren, Eric, Casey, Larry Dale, Nikolet, Brian, Preston, Tyson, Shiann and Dakota. Eric and Casey have attended college and Dale was looking forward to seeing Larry, Nikolet and Brian graduate from high school in May. Tyson has been such a blessing to our family and really makes everyone realize how precious and valuable life and family relationships are. Dale, being a twin himself, was very excited when twins Shiann and Dakota were born in 2000. Dale always looked forward to a good football game and was so proud of his boys, Eric, Brian, Larry Dale, and Preston. He was a very proud grandpa when Cassandra was crowned Miss Baca County in 2007. Dale enjoyed the County Fair and working with the 4-H and FFA members. He was especially excited when Nikolet won the Grand Champion Steer last year. Larry Dale, Preston, Dakota and Shiann also had steers at the fair. Dale had recently joined partnership with Eric and Brian on farmland. After weeks of cleaning up the hog farm, the boys had their first wheat crop in the ground and grandpa thought it looked great! Dale loved to fish, hunt, and play dominoes in his free time and had a passion of farming, rodeo and managing the feedlot. He had a special compansionship with his dog Dixie and enjoyed taking her for rides in his pickup. However, if anyone would ask Dale what his greatest accomplishment was, he would prouldy say his chidren and grandchildren. Dale was happiest when he was with his family and friends, and really enjoyed spending time and creating memories with them.