In Memory Of
Ruth Hannah Ritter
Ruth Hannah Ritter
Ruth Hannah Ritter, 92, Topeka, KS, formerly of Tacoma, WA, passed away on Thursday, August 11, 2011 at a local hospital.
Ruth was born May 9, 1919 in Astoria, OR, the daughter of William and Florence (Jensen) Ford. She graduated from Astoria High School. She married Thomas H. Ritter on May 19, 1939, the same day she graduated from high school.
In high school, Ruth excelled and lettered in baseball. She played the position of catcher and was one of their best batters. Ruth was a constant support to her children's activities. She was always available to drive the track team to their events and helped with the hot lunch program. Her enthusiasm was evident in school activities and her scream could be heard above all others. She loved sports and avidly watched major league baseball and wrestling. She was a gracious and caring person, always looking out for the welfare of her friends. She never met a stranger who she couldn't strike up a conversation with. She was a loyal mother and wife. She loved morning walks and having coffee with friends. Her ideal vacation was to see relatives in the northwest which she called home. She lived in Oregon, California, Kentucky, Washington and finally Kansas, but always called Oregon home. She regularly attended the Scandinavian Festival in Astoria and was proud of her Norwegian heritage.
She was a 50 year member of Eastern Star Lodge in Tillamook, OR. and past Mother Advisor of the Rainbow Lodge in Lompoc, CA. She was one of the contributors to the Friends of the ASTOR Column in Astoria.
Survivors include her husband, Thomas H. Ritter, of 72 years; sons, William (Patricia) Ritter, Topeka, John (Sally) Ritter, Klamath Falls, OR; daughter, Joanne Smith, Maple Valley, WA; grandchildren, David, Cathy, Caryn, Chris, Dan and Steven; and great-granddaughter, Kaitlyn. She was preceded in death by a brother, William Ford.
Memorial services will be held at a later date with inurnment at the Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, OR.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Kansas Eye Bank, 625 N. Carriage Pkwy, Suite 190, Wichita, Kansas 67208.
Penwell-Gabel Southwest Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.
Ruth was born May 9, 1919 in Astoria, OR, the daughter of William and Florence (Jensen) Ford. She graduated from Astoria High School. She married Thomas H. Ritter on May 19, 1939, the same day she graduated from high school.
In high school, Ruth excelled and lettered in baseball. She played the position of catcher and was one of their best batters. Ruth was a constant support to her children's activities. She was always available to drive the track team to their events and helped with the hot lunch program. Her enthusiasm was evident in school activities and her scream could be heard above all others. She loved sports and avidly watched major league baseball and wrestling. She was a gracious and caring person, always looking out for the welfare of her friends. She never met a stranger who she couldn't strike up a conversation with. She was a loyal mother and wife. She loved morning walks and having coffee with friends. Her ideal vacation was to see relatives in the northwest which she called home. She lived in Oregon, California, Kentucky, Washington and finally Kansas, but always called Oregon home. She regularly attended the Scandinavian Festival in Astoria and was proud of her Norwegian heritage.
She was a 50 year member of Eastern Star Lodge in Tillamook, OR. and past Mother Advisor of the Rainbow Lodge in Lompoc, CA. She was one of the contributors to the Friends of the ASTOR Column in Astoria.
Survivors include her husband, Thomas H. Ritter, of 72 years; sons, William (Patricia) Ritter, Topeka, John (Sally) Ritter, Klamath Falls, OR; daughter, Joanne Smith, Maple Valley, WA; grandchildren, David, Cathy, Caryn, Chris, Dan and Steven; and great-granddaughter, Kaitlyn. She was preceded in death by a brother, William Ford.
Memorial services will be held at a later date with inurnment at the Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, OR.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Kansas Eye Bank, 625 N. Carriage Pkwy, Suite 190, Wichita, Kansas 67208.
Penwell-Gabel Southwest Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ruth Hannah Ritter, please visit our flower store.
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