Frederick Amlie

McFARLAND – Frederick Hans Amlie, age 88, died on Monday, March 28, 2016, at Agrace HospiceCare in Fitchburg, Wis. "Fritz" was born on June 17, 1927, in Detroit, Mich., to a German mother. He grew up for the most part in Elkhorn, Wis., as the adopted child of Thomas and Gehrta Amlie. The family moved to Madison in about 1941. In 1944, Fritz dropped out of his senior year at Wisconsin High School on the University of Wisconsin campus to join the U.S. Navy during WWII. After the war and his stint in the Navy, he completed his high school degree. In 1948 he married the love of his life, Marilyn Zindars, who was literally the girl next door in Elkhorn, and with whom he grew up. She predeceased him in 1958. Fritz started his occupation as a mechanic working for Greyhound Bus Lines. In the late 1950s, he bought his own semi-truck and worked for Henry Pirkle Refrigerated Truck Lines, hauling loads between Madison and the West Coast. In 1963, Fritz began working for the International Harvester dealer in Madison as a truck mechanic, and worked for them until 1978. He and another former IH mechanic then went out on their own doing freelance mechanic work. Twisting wrenches was his passion. Fritz loved to tinker, repair, modify, fabricate, and create. Fritz is survived by his two sons, Christopher (Izzy Laing) of McFarland, and Eric (Marge) of Fitchburg. Many thanks to Lori Anderson of McFarland Senior Outreach Services and the staffs at Oregon Manor, Deerfield Place, and Agrace HospiceCare for the excellent help and care that they provided to our father. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive (608)221-5420