Frances Dora Burjes was born on the homestead of her parents Henry and Annie Burjes on August 20, 1917. She was raised on this homestead in the Ash Creek and Hilland area in an all girl family and learned to do all the work it took to run a farm in the age of arm-strong power. She continued to own the homestead after her parents’ death.

When Frances reached the age of reason she accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior and was baptized by the cowboy minister, the Rev. John Wynn. John 3:16 became her guide throughout her life.

She received her grade school education in the rural school and graduated from Philip High School in 1938. She attended Black Hills Teachers College and received her Teachers Certificate and taught eleven terms in the rural schools. She worked in Seattle and Detroit, Michigan, but decided to come back and spend her life on the prairie of South Dakota.

In 1953, she and Edward Fitch were married in Detroit, Michigan and to this union three sons were born, Burjes, Brian and Bryce. The Fitch’s assumed operation of the Fitch farms and continued to run the Burjes homestead. When their sons were old enough to be in sports, Ed and Frances were faithful followers. Ed and Frances enjoyed hosting travelers for Bed and Breakfast for many years. The Fitch’s were members of the Evangelical Free Church in Milesville where Frances taught Sunday School and helped with Vacation Bible School.

Through the years Frances enjoyed working with young people teaching them leatherwork and dancing. She was also a 4-H leader. Frances was an avid sportsman, receiving the coveted Golden Glove award from her softball team in 1986. She participated in the Senior Games for many years and was chosen Outstanding Female Athlete for South Dakota in 1990, and in 2000 she was inducted into their Hall of Fame.

In 1988, Frances was chosen as one of the five finalists for Farm-Ranch Woman of the Year, and in 1994 she wielded a hammer along with Jimmy Carter in constructing homes for Habitat for Humanity. For many years, Frances supported children through Compassion International.

She and Ed went on many volkwalks through the years, loved to dance and belonged to the Bad River Dance Club. They also took many trips in their motor home.

Frances wrote two books "Under Prairie Sky" and Tinnitus My Thorn." Her hobbies included weaving, quilting, leatherwork, and collecting books and picture albums.

Grateful for having shared her life are her husband Ed Fitch of Philip; three sons Burjes Fitch and his wife Cheryl of Philip, Brian Fitch and his wife Sue of St. Paul, Minnesota, and Bryce Fitch and his wife Pam of Sioux Falls; thirteen grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; one sister Eldra O’Neil of Seattle, Washington; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Frances was preceded in death by her parents; and four sisters Myrtle Handley, Nellie Burns, Mayme Keyser, and Ethelyn Clennon.

Visitation was held 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Friday, September 9, at the Rush Funeral Home in Philip, and one hour preceding the services at the church on Saturday.

Funeral services were held 10:00 a.m. Saturday, September 10, at the Evangelical Free Church in Philip, with Pastor Gary Wahl officiating, with a eulogy by Pastor Al Brucklacher.

Interment was in the Masonic Cemetery, Philip, South Dakota.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Red Cross for victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Funeral Services
Saturday, September 10, 2005 10:00 a.m.
Evangelical Free Church
Philip, South Dakota

Officiant
Pastor Gary Wahl

Eulogy
Pastor Al Brucklacher

Music
Marianne Frein – Pianist
Fitch Granddaughters – Vocalists
"One Day At A Time"
"What A Friend We Have In Jesus"

Ushers
Michael Peterson – Nick Weiers

Pallbearers
Trevor Fitch – Truett Fitch – Theo Fitch
Cory Fitch – Christopher Fitch - Len Cotten

Honorary Pallbearers
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance

Interment
Masonic Cemetery
Philip, South Dakota

The clock of life is wound but once
And no man has the power,
To tell just where the hands will stop-
At late or early hour.

The present only is our own
Live and work and love with a will,
Place no faith in tomorrow
For the hands may then be still

Written by Herbert "Jake" Handley