Allen "Fritz" Leroy Kerl

DEFOREST- Fritz was born in Black Earth, on Aug. 27, 1936, to Fred W. Kerl and Rose M. (Barcelo) Kerl.  He joined the U.S. Navy and served his country as a Seabee from the spring of 1954 to August of 1957.  It is with that elite construction battalion that he was able to navigate a lucrative career driving heavy equipment as a Teamster from which he retired in 2004.  From an early age, Fritz loved anything with wheels and was most well-known for his motorcycle road trips, both in and around the greater Dane Country area and nationwide with a riding group of Goldwing enthusiasts.  A trip to Albuquerque, N.M. in 1994, for a “Wing Ding” is where he reunited with his daughter after 24 years of separation.  The reunion would form an unbreakable bond between father, daughter and son forever.  Fritz is survived by his life partner, Janice Stanek; his son, Jeffrey (Kerl) Suladie of Mesa, Ariz; his daughter, Cindy (Kerl) Ayers of Mesa, Ariz.; grandsons, Kevin Scheibel and Collin Scheibel; granddaughter, Jennifer Espitia; two great-grandchildren; step-daughter, Julie (Stanek) Kuzdas; and niece, Nancy Bowman.  Fritz rode into the outstretched arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, May 13, 2018.  Now he can ride the Streets of Gold on his Harley with the breath of God blowing through his hair.  Ride on Dad, ride on!  Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Dr., Monona, at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 30, 2018.  Burial will immediately follow the service at Highland Memory Gardens, in the Garden of Veterans, with a luncheon to follow at the funeral home.  Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 9 a.m. until the time of the service on Wednesday.  Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Dr  (608) 221-5420