Ruth Catherine Fridel

Ruth Meiller Fridel, age 95, was called home into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior on April 5, 2025. Ruth was born on October 24, 1929, in Marlin, Texas, the youngest of eleven children to Rev. John and Mrs. Bertha Meiller during the time her father was the minister of St. Paul Evangelical and Reformed Church, now known as St. Paul United Church of Christ. In 1936, the family moved to Kurten, Texas, where her father served as minister of the Zion Evangelical and Reformed Church now known as Zion Church of Kurten from 1936 until his death in 1940. The family then moved to Tabor, Texas, where her parents had purchased a farm in 1939.

Ruth attended first thru third grades at Kurten School and attended Tabor School thru eighth grade. She then attended Lamar Jr. High School in Bryan and graduated from Stephen F. Austin High School in Bryan in 1947. She went on to attend McKenzie Baldwin Business College. She worked for the State Department of Public Welfare for five years. After raising her children to school age, she worked for Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service and retired in 1992 after twenty-five years of service. She enjoyed her retirement years and stayed busy. Her favorite “hobby” was baking brownies to give to friends, neighbors and relatives and working in her flower beds. Her favorite flowers were red roses and bluebonnets. Louis would often kid their children to keep her away from the craft shows at the mall, where she would have to pick up a bluebonnet item for herself or as a gift.

In 1950, Ruth married Louis Fridel in a garden wedding at The Oaks in Bryan. They were married for fifty years until his death on September 21, 2000. They were blessed with three children, Mark, Lynette and Michael. They were always loving and friendly to all, and their children’s friends always felt a part of the family.

Ruth was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, American Legion Ladies’ Auxiliary of the American Legion Earl Graham Post 159, St. Joseph’s Age Managers, and A&M Retirees.

Always known for her beautiful smile, infectious laugh and sparkling blue eyes, she gave the best hugs ever which earned her the nickname “Huggy Bear”. She treated everyone she met with kindness and love, and in return everyone loved her.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, eight brothers (Edward, Alfred, Paul, Albert, Gus, Charlie, Herman and Ted) and two sisters (Emma Bertha and Emma Betty McDonnell). She is survived by her three children, Mark and his wife, Roxanne Fridel of Houston, Lynette Fridel of Bryan and Michael Fridel of Bryan, two sisters-in-law, Louann Fridel of Houston and Sherry Fridel of Millican, and many loving nieces and nephews and friends.

Pallbearers will be John Meiller, Roger Meiller, Ken McDonnell, Bob McDonnell, Larry Fridel and Justin Olexey. Honorary pallbearers will be David Martin and Billy Olexey.

A visitation and rosary will be held on Sunday, April 13, 2025, at Callaway-Jones in Bryan from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., with the rosary being prayed at 6:30 p.m. A celebration of life funeral mass will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church on Monday, April 14, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., to be officiated by Msgr. John McCaffrey and Father Jim Chamberlain, with burial following at Mt. Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum.

Special heartfelt thanks to Dr. Arezu Daftarian and Dr. Fred Tan for the medical care and friendship thru the years, and to Bluebonnet Hospice for their care and compassion. Words cannot express our appreciation to our angel friend, Tammy Swink Steward, for being with us as mom entered the gates of Heaven, and to Cheryl Williams for the countless hours helping with Mom’s needs and care and loving her so well thru this journey.

Memorials may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church, 507 E. 26th St., Bryan, Texas 77803, or to a charity of choice.