Frederick N Taylor

Frederick Fritz Taylor age 90 of Mankato, died Sunday, April 1, 2007 at his Sibley Manor residence. A memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m. Thursday at St. Johns Episcopal Church with Father Paul Ryder officiating. Burial will be in Pilgrims Rest Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Mankato Mortuary.

Frederick was born November 6, 1916 in Webster City, Iowa to Vernon and Dena (Fjetland) Taylor. He hopped a train to Minnesota in 1936 to work as a roller rink manager at Waterville, and later Mankato. He married Audrey McMillen in 1939, with whom he opened Little Audrys Diner in Waterville. They later divorced. Fritz co-owned T and J Service welding and repair in Waterville from 1945-1955. On June 28, 1955, he married Alice (Fisch) Busse in Sioux Falls, SD. Together, they owned and operated the Broiler Cafe from 1955-1968, and Southview Golf Club from 1962-1966. Fritz began his real estate career in 1968, and also was a bail bondsman for Interstate Bonding from 1969-1984.

Fritz had been a member and served as a director of the MN Restaurant Association, was a former member of the Moose Lodge, Exchange Club, Kato Cycle Club, and a charter member of the Waterville Sportsman club. Fritz was the President of the Mankato Mets Baseball team, was past President of the Southview Heights Homeowners Association and had served as constable and treasurer for Mankato Township. He enjoyed fishing, especially his Canadian trips with his buddies, sprint car racing, and playing poker. He especially enjoyed baseball and softball, having traveled the US to attend World Series; and World Softball Tournaments, following his beloved Happy Chef team. He was instrumental in the development and construction of Key City Ball Park, now called Franklin Rogers Park.

His loving family includes, daughter, Sally Taylor and special friend, Glen Hafert of Mayville, WI; son, Frederick N. Taylor III and his wife, Amy of Mankato; stepchildren, Helen Busse of Lockney, TX, Frank Busse and his wife, Lollie of Mankato; four grandchildren, five great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; three step-grandchildren and their families; three sisters, Virginia Cole of Mesa, AZ, Barbara McFarland and her husband, Merlin of Jewell, IA, and Alice Sather of Roland, IA; and nieces and nephews. Fritz was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Richard, and his wife, Alice.