Hi Robert - we were talking apples & oranges. :) I was referring to another record showing the mother, Maria, and several of Fritz's younger siblings coming over later. (I think it was 1885). The father, Johan is not with them, so I assume he died prior to their departure. Although I guess it is possible he came over first and I have just overlooked/missed his emigration somehow.
I haven't done a lot of research on this line so your hints are most welcome!