Sandra B. (Baker) Fritz

Sandra B. (Baker) Fritz, 89, of Benton, (Sugarloaf Township) died Tuesday evening, May 5, 2026 at the Geisinger Bloomsburg Hospital.

Born May 13, 1936 in rural Bloomsburg, she was a daughter of the late Raymond and Genevieve (Edwards) Baker.  She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 61 years, Jesse E. Fritz, on June 14, 2018.

Sandra was a 1954 graduate of Benton High  School where she was Valedictorian of her class.  She then earned her R.N. degree from Hospital of University of Pennsylvania in 1957. In 1973 she graduated from Bloomsburg University with a B. S. in Public School Nursing and in the 1990's earned her Master's equivelant in School Nursing.

 From 1957 to 1971 she worked as an R. N. at various hospitals including the Bloomsburg Hospital, the Lancaster General Hospital and the Frederick Memorial Hospital in Frederick, Maryland.  From 1971 to 1999 she was the school nurse for the Benton Area School District.  From 1999 to 2003, she was employed by the Columbia Montour Home Hospice as Director of Camp Courage for nine summers.  She and her husband, Jesse, also owned and operated Jubilee Valley Retreat Center for 25 years for youth and families. 

She was a longtime and active member of the Benton United Methodist Church where she was a Sunday School teacher, choir member and choir director, church pianist, missions coordinator, member of the Church council, youth leader, Bible School teacher and was a volunteer for the Kids for Christ program.  She also participated and helped lead a Ladies Bible Study at the Church.

Sandra was also a member of the Benton  Sewing Club, the Northern Columbia County Quilting Club and the Daughter of American Revolution.

She also served as chairperson for the Benton Salvation Army and was a CPR instructor for the American Red Cross.

Her hobbies included quilting, music, playing the piano, gardening and traveling but she especially cherished spending time with her family.

Surviving are her three children:  Gregory N. Fritz and his wife, Nancy, of Benton; Shelby R. Brown and her husband, Paul, of Parker, Colorado; Nelson K. Fritz and his wife, Robin, of Benton; 9 grandchildren, 24 great  grandchildren.  Also surviving are her brothers: Edward Thomas Baker and his wife, Mary Ann, of Centre Hall, PA; Frederick P. Baker and his wife Beth, of Charleroi, PA; a sister-in-law, Bobbi Baker, of Starkville, Mississippi and as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Along with her husband, Jesse, and her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Donald W. Baker.

Services will be held Monday, May 11, 2026 at 11 AM at the Benton United Methodist Church, Main Street, Benton, with Pastor Chris Long, officiating. 

Friends and Relatives will be received Monday from 10 AM until the time of the Service at the Church.  Private burial will be in the Benton Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to the Benton United Methodist Church,  P. O. Box 244, Benton, PA 17814  or to a Mission organization of the donor's choice. 

The McMichael Funeral Home, Inc., Benton, is honored to serve the Fritz Family.  For  online condolences or for additional information, please visit our website:  www.mcmichaelfuneralhome.com

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