Francis “Fritz” Lee Suprise, age 80 of New London, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, August 6, 2019 at ThedaCare in New London.
Francis was born on October 2, 1938 in the Township of Deer Creek to the late Fred and Marie (Lyons) Suprise. Francis served his country in the US Army. He was united in marriage to Sylvia Tate on August 10, 1963 in Bear Creek. Francis enjoyed hunting, camping, going on trips and fishing. He also loved going for rides in the country, going to breakfast with his son and spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren as much as he could. Francis worked at Curwood almost his entire working career, until his retirement and he was a proud union member. Francis also worked on Sewell Avery in the Great Lakes.
Francis is survived by his wife, Sylvia; son, Kevin (Brandy) Suprise; grandchildren: Jeffrey (Regina) Suprise, Jessica (Drew) Dorans, Haeleygh (Skylar) Finder, Tori (special friend Damian) Suprise and Cody (special friend Sydnee) Retzlaff; great-grandchildren: Alexander, Eli, Lucas, Fiona and Braxton; siblings, Harold Suprise, Joan (Les) Shepardson and Jean Rew; Godchildren, David Tate, Heather Mike and Diana Paulson; brother-in-law, Earl Thompson; brothers and sisters-in-law: Judy (Bob) Schucknecht, Donna (Bruce) Mike, Phyllis (Carl) Schucknecht and Peggy (Ronald) Fette. He is further survived by numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and special friends, Tammy and Tim Retzlaff and Janelle and Steve Behnke. Francis was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Edward; sisters, Rosemary and Beatrice; father and mother-in-law, Clifford and Delores Tate; brothers-in-law, Donald (Babe) Tate and Gerald Rew and sister-in-laws, Betty (Kenneth) Miller and Marcie Suprise.
The funeral service for Francis will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 9, 2019 at Most Precious Blood Catholic Church in New London with Fr. John Kleinschmidt officiating. Visitation will take place on Thursday, August 8, 2019 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Cline & Hanson Funeral Home in New London and again from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service at the church on Friday. Burial will be in Floral Hill Cemetery in New London. Full military rites will be held at the graveside. Cline & Hanson Funeral Home in New London is serving the family. www.clinehansonfuneralhome.com