Doris M. Tritz

Doris Tritz, 95 years old, of Remsen, IA passed away Wednesday, January 10, 2018 at Floyd Valley Hospital in Lemars, IA.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 1p.m. a.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Remsen with Rev. William McCarthy officiating.  Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Remsen, IA. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Friday.  There will be a parish rosary and vigil prayer service all at 5 p.m. at Fisch Funeral Home & Monument in Remsen. Visitation will resume 1 hour prior to the service on Friday at the funeral home. Condolences may be sent online to www.fischfh.com.

Doris was born on Jan. 23, 1922 at Moline, IL, to Camiel and Elizabeth (Salzmann) Van Hecke. At an early age Doris moved with her family to Davenport, IA where she schooled for five years. In 1933 the family moved to Milan, IL and in 1936 Doris was sent to high school at a girl’s boarding school, the Immaculate Conception Academy at Davenport, IA, from which she graduated in 1940. She then moved to Detroit, MI, where she worked for Hudson Motor Car Co. And Fruehauf Trailer Co. During the beginning of WWII on Aug. 6, 1943 she enlisted in the Navy WAVES and served 2 ½ years in the medical Corps in California, and was honorably discharged Dec. 6, 1945. She then returned to Illinois for six months and in 1946 moved back to Santa Cruz, CA where she worked for Bank of America and Santa Cruz City Hall.

On Sept. 11, 1946 she married John Mendonsa. They made their home in Santa Cruz. In 1951 they moved to Salinas, CA where she was employed by their city hall until she was offered a secretary job at Salinas Valley Savings and Loan and she later worked at Independent Savings and Loan. Doris moved back to Sioux City, IA, in 1959 and worked for the vice-president of KCAU. In 1964 she returned to Salinas, CA and worked for her former boss at Independent Savings and Loan.

In 1967 she moved back to Sioux City to be married on Sept. 11, 1967 to Francis Tritz and they made their home in Remsen where she assisted her husband in the operation of the Triangle Lounge and at the same time was employed at Anderson Accounting since it opened in 1968 for 21 years until her retirement on May 1, 1989. Francis died May 26, 2007


Doris was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and church guild. She was a charter member of the International Association of Administrative Professionals since 1954 and while she was in California. She served 2 years as the California Division Treasurer. She also enjoyed Photography.

Survivors include, one son, Steve Mendonsa of Gailsburg, IL; step-daughter, Donna Marie Tritz of Jacksonville, FL; 2 granddaughters, Danielle (Jason) Reid of Gailsburg, Il, Dana (John) O’Conner of Chicago, IL; 1 step-grandson, Donald Edwards of Jacksonville, FL; 5 great-grandsons, Bryce and Seth Reid, Liam O’Connor, Bennett & Iris Edwards; 1 great-granddaughter, Molly O’Connor; 1 step-great-granddaughter, Carolina Edwards brother, Bob (Joanie) Van Hecke of Davenport, IA; numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Francis Tritz, step-daughter, Debbie Edwards; 3 sisters, Clare Rose Objartel, Irene Trede and Charlotte Hanna, 1 brother, Tom Van Hecke.

Casketbears will be Mike, Jeff, Hank and Clint Tritz, Mark Rolfes, Dean Rhodes and Jay Schroeder.