Joel Fritzel Obituary

Funeral service for Joel Dean Fritzel, 73, Lawrence will be May 2, 2017 at 10am at Rumsey Yost Funeral Home. Burial to follow will be at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Joel passed peacefully in his sleep on April 26, 2017. Joel was born October 14, 1943 in Lawrence, Kansas, the son of Albert Joel and Lucy E. Fritzel. He graduated from Lawrence High School in 1961 and went on to attend KU. He was an award winning builder, as well as a carpenter, furniture maker, musician and athlete. He was a guitar player for the Rainmakers, a local Lawrence band. He founded Joel Fritzel Construction from 1986 to 2010 and employed up to 25 people. His life's passion was building beautiful structures, both commercial and residential, that would last through the ages. His craftsmanship and eye for detail were unsurpassed. His aesthetic and design were second to none. Those who knew Joel considered him kind, generous, gentle –hearted, and a God-loving man. He was a passionate gardener and had a great love for classical music.

He was preceded in death by his parents and Henery R. Cromwell, his grandson. Survivors include a brother, William Gene Fritzel, Lawrence; a son, Brett Fritzel, Eudora; four daughters, Anna Fritzel Shows, Dallas, Tammy Towns, Ft. Worth, Kimberly Williams, Lawrence and Hannah Louise Graham, Kansas City; eleven grandchildren, Devon Joel, Tyler, Miro, Courtney, Aaron, Taylor, Cameron, Carter, Audrey, Abigale, Alder; and two great-granddaughters, Huxley and Kylie.

The family suggests memorials to the Alzheimer's Association, sent in care of the funeral home, 601 Indiana, Lawrence, KS 66044

Online condolences may be sent at rumsey-yost.com.