Frieda Beattie

Frieda Beattie, 88, loving wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away peacefully Sunday, October 6, 2024, surrounded by family. Born July 1, 1936 in Oklahoma City, OK to Robert and Hazel Elliott, Frieda was the youngest of four children including Verna, Bill, and Rey. She moved to Ponca City at age seven and, along with her brother Rey, became a part of a much larger family at the American Legion Home School. She remained there, attending Ponca City Schools, until she married her high school sweetheart Robert Beattie in 1953. She and Bob raised three children in Wichita, KS. Being a mother and grandmother was one of her greatest joys. She also loved gardening and completed the horticulture program in the 1990s at Wichita Area VoTech. She worked at Sheplers warehouse in the 1980s. She and Bob returned to Ponca in 1998 and remained there until his death, after 57 years of marriage. She then moved to Valley Center, KS to be near her daughter. There she enjoyed limited gardening, spending time with family, and was able to fulfill her wish of remaining in her home for the rest of her days. Viewing will be from 12:00 - 8:00 pm, Friday, October 11, 2024, at Downing & Lahey East Mortuary, Wichita, KS. Graveside Service will be at 11:00 am, Saturday, October 12, 2024 at Longwood Cemetery, Ponca City, OK. Preceded in death by her husband, parents, siblings, and many of her “brothers and sisters” from the Home School. Survived by her sons, Robert (Mary Ann) Beattie Jr. of Hesston, KS, Richard (Lesa Roberts) Beattie of Lawrence, KS; daughter, Lisa (Malcolm) Fields of Valley Center, KS; grandchildren, Marja (Eddie) Tedder, Heather (Dietrich Moor) Lauver, Jacob (Kelly) Knitig, Kenton Beattie, Kendal Beattie, Max Fields, Sam Fields; great-grandchildren, Clint (Kate) McConnell, Kyle (Kristin) McConnell, Nathaniel Moor, Andrew Moor, Ellie Moor, Grace Knitig, Emery Roth-Fields; great-great grandchildren, Max McConnell, Sam McConnell; and surviving Home School siblings including Betty Warren of North Ridgeville, OH. No specific memorial has been established. You may donate to a food bank or your favorite botanical garden, plant something beautiful or enjoy the beauty of others’ gardening efforts in her memory.