On Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, Sharon Rae Fritch, 78, a longtime Chanute resident, passed away with her family by her side after a courageous battle with several health conditions.
Sharon was born Sept. 12, 1946, to Carleton and Fern (Burton) Metzger in Council Grove. Sharon grew up Kansas, living first in Wichita and then moving to Salina, graduating from Salina High School in 1964. She attended Emporia State University in 1964 and married her husband, Frank, on Feb. 14, 1965. They recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.
She worked at Bank of Commerce, Community National Bank and the Eye Center at Walmart.
Sharon was wonderfully creative with crafting of all kinds, but especially pottery, sewing and card making. She enjoyed traveling, most of all to Colorado. She and Frank had many adventures together in the mountains. She also enjoyed cooking and watching movies.
Sharon is survived by Frank, her husband of 60 years; a son, Elton (Lori) Fritch, Wichita; a daughter, Tricia (Brian) Sarbaugh, Olathe; grandchildren, Brennan Sarbaugh, Olathe, and McKenna Fritch, Wichita; and her brother, Carl (Janet) Metzger, Ankeny, Iowa.
She was preceded in death by her parents. Sharon was a loving mother, grandmother and friend. She will be sadly missed by her family and friends who will always remember her with fondness and love. May God’s blessings be upon all who knew and love her.
A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. on Friday, March 7, at Countryside Funeral Home in Chanute. Burial will occur at a future date at Sunny Slope Cemetery in Council Grove.
The family suggests memorials to Horizon Hospice, and these can be left with Countryside Funeral Home.
The family would like to give a special thank you to the staff at Heritage Health Care and Horizon Hospice for the compassionate care provided to Sharon.
