Ruby Frieden

Ruby Frieden, 99, passed from this life, November 2, 2012. She was born August 14, 1913, in Pittsburg, KS. Ruby was raised by parents Lee and Mabel Mitchell in the Bethel neighborhood. After graduating high school, Ruby attended college in Springfield, MO. Ruby married Fred Frieden, February 18, 1934, in Springfield, MO. They lived on a farm in Barton County, where they raised their three boys, Dale, Dennis and Warren. They enjoyed working the farm and living in a Christian environment. Ruby was a hard worker holding many different positions during her lifetime, to help with the family income. She was a schoolteacher, worked for a coal mine, was a cook, a bookkeeper and worked at Big Smith. In the early 1960's, they sold the farm and moved to Lamar. Ruby was a long time member of the Methodist Church, first Bethel and later Lamar; she sometimes attended the Apostolic Christian Church where her husband's family attended. She was a member of the Mt. Hope Chapter #74 Order of the Eastern Star for 25 years and was installed as Worthy Matron in 1992. Ruby is preceded in death by her husband, Fred, a son, Warren Frieden; grandsons Dale Frieden, Jr. and Darin Frieden; great granddaughter Jessica Patrick; her parents, Parley Cline and Effie Mitchell; foster parents Lee and Mabel Mitchell; brothers Virgil and Chester Cline; sister Sylvia Crissman. She is survived by sons Dale Frieden and wife, Carolyn, Dardanelle, AR, Dennis Frieden and wife, Jean, Dardanelle, AR; six grandchildren, Lori Keith (Nicky) of League City, TX, Cindy Wilson (Doug) of Shore Acres, TX, Darbi Stancell (Bruce) of Anderson, MO, Gregory Frieden of San Antonio, TX, Denie' Patrick (Barry) of Bois D Arc, MO, and Kenneth Frieden of Tiki Island, TX; five great grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren; three step granddaughters; one step grandson; two step great granddaughters; four step great grandsons and more than two dozen nieces and nephews; a very special niece, Peggy Mitchell Patton, who was like a daughter. When asked to move closer to family, Ruby always gave the same answer, "I have lived in Barton County my entire life and I don't want to leave my friends." Grandma Ruby - you told us in an oral history, recorded in 1996, that you never got to know your grandmothers. We are so thankful and blessed that we got to know you well. We're lucky - we have another angel looking after us. We love you - Your Grandkids.