Frederic Pongratz

Frederic A. “Fritz” Pongratz, age 85, died peacefully on Friday, July 28, 2023.

Fritz was born in Sparta, Wisconsin on November 25, 1937 to William “Bill” and Marie (Ziegler) Pongratz. He was an outstanding athlete at both the high school and college levels. While in high school in Tomah, WI he participated in the state tournaments for Basketball, Baseball and Track where he placed second in the 100-yard dash. He had a handful of tryouts with the Milwaukee Braves while in high school and college. In college he was a three-sport athlete and was selected to the All-American Team for Football while playing for UW-LaCrosse. He was also selected to the UW-L Wall of Fame in 2006. He played one season in the Canadian Football League for the Ottawa Rough Riders before returning to his hometown of Tomah to eventually become the Chief of Corrective Therapy at the VA Hospital. He also served 6 years in the Army Reserves as a medic. His biggest passion was being in the outdoors hunting and fishing in addition to spending as much time as possible with his grandchildren.

Fritz is survived by his son, Randy (fiancé Michelle Brenner) Pongratz, Mondovi and his grandchildren, Taryn Pongratz (finance Isaiah Nordeng) Minneapolis, MN and Jozi Pongratz St. Paul, MN.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Sue (Pongratz) Radtke.

Memorial Services will take place at The Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah on Friday, September 15, 2023. Visitation will be held from 9:00 am until the time of the service at 11:00 am.  Inurnment will be private.