Ruth Marie Fritzlen

Ruth M. Fritzlen, 93, of Higgins stepped into her heavenly home Monday, January 19, 2026, at her home in Higgins.

Celebration of Life Services will be 1:00 PM, Saturday, January 31, 2026, at the Higgins Multi-Purpose Building with the Waite Family officiating. All are invited to a Noon meal prior to the Celebration Service. The Urn committal service will follow at the Higgins Cemetery. Cremation and services are under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors of Canadian.

Ruth Marie Comstock Fritzlen was born January 18, 1933, in Tonkawa, OK to Clyde and Ethel Comstock. The family moved to Arkansas City, KS and set up permanent residence east of town. Ruth enjoyed sports and cheerleading and especially liked ice skating. Upon graduation from High School, she enrolled in Nurses training and later received her degree as a Registered Nurse. Following graduation, she was hired at Winfield Memorial Hospital working as a Surgical Nurse.

Later Ruth was joined in marriage to Ralph Waite. This union was blessed with four sons, Buck, Shane, Audie and Kyle. The family resided in Winfield, KS. Years later Ruth was united in marriage to John D. Fritzlen in December 1972. The family then made their home in Higgins and soon grew in size as John’s son Scott and stepson Mike joined the family.

With a family this size Ruth returned to nursing at Shattuck Newman Memorial Hospital; but where she really shined was at home. She loved to cook and spend time with family. Holidays were very special to her as most all the family would return home. She was always accused of cooking for an army; but Ruth would always say she didn’t want anyone to go hungry, and you didn’t!

Ruth really enjoyed teaching Sunday School and sharing the Love of Jesus with others. To know Ruth was to love her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clyde Comstock and Ethel Comstock Reeves; stepfather Chester Reeves; son Kyle Waite; granddaughter, Amber Waite; and husband, John D. Fritzlen.

Those left to cherish her memory are three sons, Buck Waite and wife Denise, Shane Waite, Audie Waite and wife Kim; seven grandchildren, and eleven great grandchildren.