Earlier this week, we reported that the American Pickers star Frank Fritz died on Monday at the age of 60 (But thankfully, with his friend Mike Wolfe at his side). Now, sad details have emerged about Fritz’s final days.
Fritz’s Difficult Final Days
Fritz died in hospice care in Davenport, Iowa on September 30. His final days were far from easy, as he continued dealing with complications from the stroke that he suffered back in July of 2022.
“He has been bad since the stroke and he had been getting worse,” a source close to Fritz told The Sun. “He was unable to move the right side of his body….he needed 24-hour care. There was no way he was getting better. He was in a home.”
In his final months, Fritz was wheelchair-bound and had to have a ramp installed outside of his farmhouse. Another source claimed last year that while Fritz could walk to some degree, he needed a wheelchair to travel longer distances.
It seems that Fritz never fully recovered from the stroke that he suffered from in July of 2022. Indeed, he was rushed to the hospital four times in 2022 and 2023, for pneumonia and a seizure.
Fritz’s Conservatorship
In August of 2022, a conservatorship was filed for Fritz in the wake of his stroke.
“Mr. Fritz’s decision-making capacity is so impaired that he is unable to care for his own safety or to provide for necessities such as food, shelter, clothing, or medical care without which physical injury or illness may occur,” read court documents from that time period that were obtained by Daily Mail.
MidWestOne Bank was ultimately appointed as Fritz’s conservator. His friend Chris Davis was then appointed as his guardian.
Fritz rose to fame in 2010 when he began starring on The History Channel’s American Pickers alongside co-host Wolfe. Fritz left the show in 2021 to focus on his health struggles. He suffered from his stroke the next year.
Full Story: ‘American Pickers’ Star Frank Fritz Dead At 60 Two Years After Suffering From A Stroke
Wolfe Honors Fritz
Wolfe was by Fritz’s side when he died. Afterwards, he took to Instagram to pay tribute to his close friend.
“It’s with a broken heart that I share with all of you that Frank passed away last night,” wrote Wolfe, 60. “I’ve know Frank for more then half my life and what you’ve seen on TV has always been what I have seen, a dreamer who was just as sensitive as he was funny. The same off camera as he was on, Frank had a way of reaching the hearts of so many by just being himself.”
“Who would have ever dreamed we would share the cockpit of a white cargo van in front of millions of people interested in our adventures,” he continued. “Before the show we would take off together to places we never knew existed with no destination in mind and just the shared passion to discover something interesting and historic.”
Wolfe ended his post by saying his final goodbye to his buddy Fritz.
“We’ve been on countless trips and shared so many miles and I feel blessed that I was there by his side when he took one last journey home,” Wolfe concluded. “I love you buddy and will miss you so much I know your in a better place.”
Full Story: ‘American Pickers’ Star Mike Wolfe Was By Frank Fritz’s Side When He Passed Away
Please join us in saying a prayer for Fritz’s loved ones as they continue to mourn him.