JUNE ARDELLA FRITZ
June 16, 1946–Sept. 6, 2025
June Ardella Fritz passed away peacefully and beautifully in her home Sept. 6, 2025, surrounded by family and the love of all who knew her.
June was born in Killdeer, North Dakota, June 16, 1946, to Arthur and Agnes (Herman) Unterseher. As she was born on Father’s Day, she was named by her father. She joined an older sister, Judy, who would be her best friend for life. Later, three brothers, Skip, Jim and Doug, would complete the family.
During her school years the family lived in Idaho and Wyoming. The family moved to Lead, South Dakota, in 1958 when June was 12. At the age of 13 she was in a serious car accident, causing many physical problems that she dealt with her whole life. She spent some time in a wheelchair and, unable to finish school, she chose to get on with the business of life. Holding a variety of jobs as a pre-teen and teen, in addition to being one of the older children in the family, she became equipped with an array of knowledge and talents to be very successful in the times in which she grew up.
In February of 1963 she married (and tamed!) Daryld Fritz in Deadwood, South Dakota. They would have two daughters, Penny and Tina, and would live in Deadwood until 1970 when they moved their little family to Newcastle, Wyoming. June mostly stayed home taking care of the family, but as the girls got older, she ventured outside the home
and held various jobs. But
she was never as happy as when she could just be home cleaning, cooking, cleaning, gardening, cleaning, or crafting of some sort.
All who knew her were blessed to learn so much from her and carry that knowledge to future generations. She never gave herself enough credit for how smart she was, and rather thought of herself as quite inept. Her friends and family, however, were always impressed by her ability to make something out of nothing. She truly enjoyed cooking and baking and sharing the secrets to family favorites from her German heritage. She also loved to sew and crochet, often donating blankets to hospitals and senior facilities.
Being one of the biggest Elvis fans that ever was, you’d see collectibles and memorabilia everywhere. And ‘pink’— oh, how she loved pink! Even getting her hair dyed twice in her last months by her sister-in-law, Maryann, and niece, Jessica, and regretting she hadn’t done it before.
She cherished her family and friends at a level most will never comprehend. And sadly, that most never knew. Cards, letters and phone calls meant so much to her. Gifts, no matter how small or large, were on another level and each one is marked fondly with the date, occasion, and name of the one who gave it. She loved so purely and had such a sweet spirit. But unfortunately, didn’t let everyone — including her family — always see it.
April 1st of this year she received the news that she had advanced and very aggressive pancreatic cancer. Her last five months were beyond difficult as Daryld became ill and passed away quickly and unexpectedly on May 26. She wanted so desperately for this not to be her reality, and fought, harder than anyone ever thought, to beat it.
June is survived by her daughter, Penny Sander, Gillette, Wyoming; granddaughter, Alisha Fields; great-grandchildren, Ayla, Ayvree, Ayden and Aynslee; granddaughter, Tamra Bruns; great-grandchildren, Kaydence, Camren, Presleigh and Waylon; grandson, John Michael Alleman; great-grandchildren, Joseph Michael and Hailey; granddaughter, Hannah Sander; great-grandchildren, Noah, Niya, Ebin and Salem; daughter, Tina Fritz, Hot Springs, South Dakota; grandson, Drew Hill; great-granddaughters, Parker and Payzlea; grandson, Ty (Leanna) Hill; great-granddaughter, Daisy; sister, Judy Unterseher, Rapid City, South Dakota; brothers, Doug (Deb) Unterseher, Gillette, and Skip (Dori) Unterseher; sister-in-law, Maryann (Jerry) Derby, Sturgis, South Dakota; and many nephews, nieces and friends who loved her dearly.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Daryld; parents, Arthur Unterseher and Agnes Herman; brother, Jim Unterseher, and grandson-in-law, Edward Bruns.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to the following: Campbell County Senior Citizens Center, In Home Services, 701 Stocktrail Avenue, Gillette, WY 82716 or Campbell County Hospice, 300 S. Burma Ave., Gillette,
WY 827165.
We could not have given our parents the love and dignity they deserved in their final months without them.
A Celebration of Life will
be held Oct. 4, at 2 p.m. at
the Weston County Senior Center, Newcastle.
Condolences may be sent to: Penny Sander, 516 Daisy Dr., Gillette, WY 82716 or Tina Fritz, 1638 Albany Ave, Hot Springs, SD 57747.