Fritz Albert Waechtler

Our beloved father, grandfather, great grandfather, and uncle, Fritz Albert Waechtler Sr., snuck away in the early morning hours of February 7, 2018, to be reunited with his sweetheart of nearly 60 yrs.

Fritz was born on May 18, 1936 to Johannes and Elisabeth Hommel Waechtler of Noessige East Germany. As a teenager, Fritz escaped the grips of East Germany and immigrated to the US with his parents and was sponsored by the Noble Erickson family of Smithfield Utah.

Fritz met and married his sweetheart, Emelie Daehler for time and all eternity in the Logan LDS Temple on December 19, 1958. Together in Hyrum they raised 5 sons and 3 daughters. Fritz was an incredible example of hard work, strong moral beliefs, and held a deep testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He emulated the commandment to cease to be idle and taught his children to do the same, which some In-laws have come to despise at times. He was very passionate in his employment, wherever he worked and in whatever he did. In addition to his farm, the majority of his career was spent at Tri Miller’s, E.A. Miller and Sons, and as a USDA Inspector. He always gave 110%, was honest in his dealings and taught his children that our word was our bond.

Fritz was an unbelievably compassionate person, not only to his children, but to all he came across, always lending a hand in any way possible. He served 28 years in the Army and National Guard for the country that he loved and retired as a 1st Sergeant. Throughout the years, Dad served tirelessly as a Bishop, in scouting, and in many other callings for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

He and his sweetheart also served several consecutive missions for the Church at the Ogden Cannery. There was never any doubt how much he and his sweetheart loved to serve the Lord and their fellowmen. Fritz enjoyed his family, wrestling with his kids on the living room floor, and teasing all his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He always greeted us with a hug and kiss and if you said "I love you, he would say “Uh hum me too". We never questioned our father’s love, we knew it, and he knew we knew it.

Fritz was preceded in death by his sweetheart Emelie and one grandson Timothy Clements. He is survived by his 8 children, Hans Josef (Phyllis), Katherine (Chris), Susan (Victor), Fritz Jr. (Lorri), Stephan (Mary), Robert (Christy), Heidi (Anthony) and Peter (Tifani). He has 42 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren, with 2 more on the way. Fritz and Emelie truly knew the meaning of JOY in their posterity—leaving us with a legacy that we can only hope to emulate as strongly as they did.

A viewing will be held Sunday, February 11, 2018 from 6 – 8 pm at Allen Hall Mortuary in Logan, Utah. A viewing will also be held on Monday, February 12, 2018 from 9:30 – 10:30 am at the Hyrum Utah North Stake Center, followed by the funeral at 11. After the services, burial will be in Smithfield, Utah Cemetery with Military Honors performed by the South Cache American Legion Post 47.

Our family would like to express our heartfelt thanks to all who helped our father complete his journey here on earth and to his friends who came to visit him over the years. He loved you and because of your care and friendship, we love you also. In lieu of flowers, you are welcomed donate to the missionary fund for the LDS Church.
Dad, you will be missed by all of us. Thanks for your great example of love for God, family, and country, and for enduring well to the end.