February 22, 1967 - September 26, 2026
On September 26, 2026, Barbara Ann Fritz, a deeply loved wife, mother, daughter, sister, artist, and friend, joined Jesus after a courageous two-year battle with cancer.
Barb was the loving wife of her husband, Dave, with whom she shared 37 wonderful years of marriage. Together they built a life filled with love, laughter, adventure, family, and more memories than can ever be put into words. Dave describes Barb simply as the best wife and mother anyone could ask for. They had so many plans for their golden years and so many things they still wanted to experience together. Although those years were cut far too short, the life and love they shared for 37 years will remain forever.
Above everything else, Barb loved her family. She was incredibly proud of her children, Alexander and Amanda, and loved being their mother. One of the great joys of her final summer was being able to see Alexander marry Cadence and welcome her into the family. Amanda, is married to Kaine, whose love and support, along with the support of the entire family, meant more than words can express during Barb’s illness.
Barb was extraordinarily creative and talented. If she could imagine something, she could find a way to make it. She was a gifted artist who created beautiful things in many different forms, but her resin art held a special place in her heart. Creating resin art alongside her daughter, Amanda, was especially meaningful to her. It was more than art—it was precious time spent together doing something they both loved.
Barb embraced life. She was outgoing, adventurous, and always ready to do something. She loved riding her bike, wake surfing, boating, hiking, camping, taking walks with the dogs, and simply being outdoors with the people she loved. Camping was a particularly special part of the life she and Dave shared, providing countless memories over the years.
She was also an amazing chef who truly loved to cook. Food was another way Barb expressed her creativity and her love for the people around her. Whether she was creating something beautiful in her art or something wonderful in the kitchen, Barb put a part of herself into everything she made.
The last two years of Barb’s life brought challenges no family should have to face. Cancer slowly took away many of the things she loved doing, and watching that happen was incredibly difficult for those who loved her. Yet through it all, Barb showed remarkable strength. She endured more than she ever let those around her know. Even when she was hurting, she kept going. That strength was simply who Barb was.
Barb is survived by her husband, Dave Fritz; son, Alexander and his wife, Cadence; daughter, Amanda and her husband, Kaine; mother, Patti Arbach; stepmother, Julie Poeppel; and brothers, Rob Poeppel, Adam Poeppel, and Nathan Poeppel.
Barb left this world far too soon, with plans still to fulfill, places still to see, and adventures still waiting. But the 37 years of love she and Dave shared, the children they raised, the family she cherished, the beautiful things she created, and the countless memories she gave to those who loved her cannot be taken away.
On September 26, Barb’s struggle ended, and she joined Jesus.
When you think about Barb, we don’t want cancer to be what defines the end of her story. We want people to remember the woman before the disease—the beautiful woman we fell in love with, the mother who adored her children, the artist working alongside her daughter, the incredible cook in the kitchen, the woman riding her bike, surfing behind the boat, hiking a trail, walking the dogs, camping with her family, laughing, creating, and making memories.
She was deeply loved. She will be deeply missed. And she will forever be a part of every life she touched.
A memorial service was held on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at Chamberlain McColley’s Funeral Home in Hot Springs, S.D.
Arrangements have been placed in the care of Chamberlain McColley’s Funeral Home in Hot Springs, S.D.