Obituary of Jane R. Kyhl-Fritsch

Dear Friends: It is with a saddened but relieved heart that I bring news of Jane’s passing last night. For the past several months she has been in an acute care facility for final stage Alzheimer’s patients. She was well cared for and attended by her loving family. Jane and her husband, Henry and their two boys, David and Matthew were all members of VLOG from 1962 -1974. Henry served as President and performer, Jane, as Secretary and featured performer and the boys also performed. Jane also went on to perform with other professional operetta companies. Henry passed away in June of 1998. Jane re-married Karl Fritsch in 2001. Jane will be remembered for her vivacious, effervescent personality, her beautiful countenance and smile, her artistic talent in performing and creative costuming and her generous and loving spirit. We will miss her. Viewing hours are 10AM to 2PM on Wednesday, 2/22/2017. Pastor Fryer of Immanuel Lutheran Church will lead the Prayer Service at 1:00PM. Life Story Jane Roberta (Rhoades) Kyhl-Fritsch Born 11/7/1936, seven years after the great depression. During a time in New York City when most families were struggling to survive on what little work and food was available. The lower east side of New York, Second Avenue was a melting pot of many cultures. Families would merge and coexist to survive. Born the oldest daughter. Jane grew up quickly, as most of her time was spent helping her mom with chores and taking care of her three younger brothers. Jane had no problem in keeping her brothers in line and always found time to have fun playing with all the neighborhood kids. Jane’s vibrant personality and many talents were quickly noticed in school. She entered her first talent show premiering, her first tap dancing performance. Kindness and caring for others always dominated, Janes shining personality. Jane enjoyed singing and music and became a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church on East 88st. The church congregation was vibrant and became the center of her social life. This was the beginning of her development and as a young lady, she quickly became one of the congregation’s, shining lights. Most of her good friends from Immanuel became life-long friends and remain so, to this date. It was not long before she met Henry and was married. She soon had two boys, David and Matthew. For over 50 years they enjoyed a life together that was truly blessed and proved vibrant and exciting. Living in New York City, Jane and Henry joined the Village Light Opera Group, an amateur theatrical company where for several decades they performed in many light opera performances, including several Gilbert and Sullivan productions. It was a time of life filled with and abundance in love of family and friends. In 1970 the family moved out of the New York City to New Jersey where Henry started his own business. It was Henry, who led the family to many new opportunities that we all shared together. Yearly trips to Maine and Vermont became part of our new experiences. Jane and Henry continued to raise their two boys and together with hard work, care and love, developed many new experiences that seemed to have no limits. We always traveled together around the world developing business relationships that allowed the family to work and play together. Enjoying many skiing and sailing vacations. Jane and Henry purchased an old Maple Syrup House in Vermont and as a family, we transformed this old tattered shack, into a great ski house that we enjoyed for many years. With Henry’s drive and can do spirit, combined with Jane’s talent for making life so comforting there seemed to be no end to the love and joy we all shared as a family. As in life, all dreams come to an end and Henry passed away in 1998, after a valiant fight against cancer. Jane stepped up to the task of running the business as president for many years after and finally retired. Her love for life and spirit for friendship led her to reconnect with an old family friend from Immanuel Church. Karl was one of Henry’s best friends, during the early days of their life. Karl helped Henry in college and they also played on the same basketball team. Karl had also just recently lost his wife and it seemed, “Kismet’, for their renewed friendship. It was not long until they decided to tie the knot and were married at Immanuel Lutheran Church where they all began so many years, ago. To this date, they treasure each other’s company and enjoy a good quality of life together. It was time to make life simpler and they decided to become members of the new, Brightview-Tenafly Senior living community. They look forward to starting many new relationships and continue the spirit of, “enjoying a good quality of life”. Her loving son, Matthew 6.15.15 Remembering Jane There are times when one feels that life is complete. When one enjoys the company of a spouse, children, and grand-children, as well as dear friends. However, fate often changes the familiar cycle. Four years after a divorce my daughter Marie was camping in Montauk, Long Island with her teenage children. It was there, where Marie met Matthew and they later married. Naturally, Jane entered my life and I completely fell in love with her. To be near her was to be in the presence of grace and love of life. Never did she utter an unkind word about anyone and I was enthralled by her beautiful voice. I asked her to sing the song “my buddy” and cried in the passion of her rendition. Truly she had become my buddy, my dear buddy. I especially love the spring picnics we enjoyed in Tallman State Park above the beautiful Hudson river. And then coercing together to convince our children to treat us to ice cream cones. Each day spent with her was a sunny, uplifting experience and even though I feel sad, each thought of her brings sunshine back to my heart. If anyone lived by God’s golden rule, “do unto others, as they would do unto you”, it was surely our graceful loving Jane. I miss her. In words of the song, “I miss your smile and the touch of your hand”. I know you will understand, my buddy, your buddy misses you. I know that God loves you and has taken you into his loving presence. One day, I hope to be blessed to join you in heaven. He will lift you up as you end life’s journey on earth. God bless you my, “Buddy”. I love you. Evelyn Jane Kyhl Fritsch Memorial Our Greatest Gift One day, I was sitting with Rodleigh, the leader of the troupe, in his caravan, talking about flying. He said, "As a flyer, I must have complete trust in my catcher, The public might think that I am the greatest star of the trapeze, but the real star is Joe, my catcher. He has to be there for me with split-second precision and grab me out of the air as I come to him in the long jump." "How does it work?" I asked. "The secret," Rodleigh said, "is that the flyer does nothing and the catcher does everything: when I fly to Joe, I have simply to stretch out my arms and hands and wait for him to catch me and pull me safely over the apron behind the catchbar." "You do nothing!" I said, surprised. "Nothing," Rodleigh repeated. "A flyer must fly, and a catcher must catch, and the flyer must trust, with outstretched arms, that his catcher will be there for him." When Rodleigh said this with so much conviction, the words of Jesus flashed through my mind: "Father into your hands I commend my Spirit." Dying is trusting in the catcher. To care for the dying is to say, "Don't be afraid. Remember that you are the beloved child of God. He will be there when you make your long jump. Don't try to grab him; he will grab you. Just stretch out your arms and hands and trust, trust, trust." Henri J. M. Nouwen A Roman Catholic Priest Our Greatest Gift: A Meditation On Dying And Caring Harper, 1994