Linda K. Fritz

Linda K. Fritz, 79, of Star City, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 24, at Pulaski Memorial Hospital in Winamac.  She was born on March 10, 1944, in Winamac to the late Charles F. and Gladys L. (Bridegroom) Hartwick. Linda graduated from Winamac High School in 1962. On April 26, 1963, she married Kenneth G. Fritz in Winamac.  

While working as a teacher’s aide at Winamac High School, Linda decided to pursue a degree in education and become a teacher. Working full time and having a family to care for made this no easy task. Enduring late night drives to Lafayette and summer school, she achieved her goal and received her degree from Purdue University. Linda taught nearly 30 years – first at West Central Elementary School and later at Rensselaer High School.   

After retirement, she was a member of the Pulaski County Retired Teachers Association. She was also a member of the Pulaski Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and the Winamac High School Alumni Association.

Her children have fond memories of Linda coaching their softball team and helping them with their horses in 4-H.  She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

Survivors include husband Kenneth G. Fritz, Star City; daughters: Christine [Timothy] Olson, Shorewood, Illinois and Laurie [Keith] Kruger, Kokomo; grandsons: Matthew [Sarah] Olson and Brandon [Ashley] Kruger; granddaughters: Corie [Jacob] Gatewood, Allison [David] Pilkinton and Madison Kruger; four great-grandchildren: Annabelle, Eugene, Lincoln and Charlotte; and several nieces and nephews and their families.  

She was preceded in death by her parents: Charles F. and Gladys L. (Bridegroom) Hartwick; infant brother Charles F. Hartwick, Jr.; brothers: Donald Wayne Hartwick and Frederick Eugene Hartwick; and sister Marcella Ann Schultz.

Cremation will take place at Frain Crematory in Winamac.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, Nov. 4, from 1-4 p.m. at Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. 

Online tributes may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

(Pulaski County Journal — Nov. 1, 2023)