Kathleen Marie Fritts

Kathleen Marie Fritts, 77, Ottawa, died Sunday, November 18, 2012, at Select Specialty Long Term Care Hospital in Topeka. She was born February 9, 1935, in Ottawa, Kansas, the daughter of Fred Andrew and Orelia June (Shenk) Mealman. She was a lifelong resident of Franklin County. Kathleen attended Hawthorne Grade School, Ottawa Junior High School and Ottawa Senior High School and graduated with the class of 1953. Kathleen worked and met her sweetheart Stanley while working at Drakes Bakery in Ottawa while attending High School. After graduating she moved to Topeka where she worked for Royal Dry Cleaners. Stanley continued to court her there. On August 26, 1955, Kathleen was united in marriage with Stanley Ellwood Fritts at the Free Methodist Church in Ottawa, Kansas. They were married 36 years until his death in September 1991. Kathleen or Kathy as most people knew her, worked as a telephone operator for Southwestern Bell. After the children were born she babysat and did washing and ironings in her home. She returned to the workforce from 1974 to 1978 in the lunch program at both Ottawa Middle and High Schools. She also worked from 1981 to 1984 for Ottawa University in their janitorial department before retiring. She was a Girl Scout Leader, PTA officer, member of Trinity United Methodist Church, and the Suzanna’s Women’s Circle at the church. She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister Genevieve Arb, and infant siblings Patricia Ann and Maynard J. Mealman. Survivors include two children, Anita Marie Figgins and her husband, Wayne, Pomona and Stanley Eugene Fritts of the home; a brother, Leo Mealman, Ottawa; two sisters, Peggy Hoopes and her husband, Gary, Princeton and Joan James, Ottawa. Other survivors include two grandchildren, April Lynn Garcia and her husband, Vince, Kansas City and Mandy Marie Tally and her husband, Lance, Madison. Funeral services will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church, 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, November 21, 2012. Family will meet with friends from 7:00 to 8:00 P.M. Tuesday, November 20, 2012 at Dengel & Son Mortuary. Interment Highland Cemetery, Ottawa, Kansas. The family suggests memorial contributions to Trinity United Methodist Church c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. An online Guest Book is available at www.dengelmortuary.com.