Gaylen H. 'Buck' Ritchie Jr. , 02 May 1925 – 20 Oct 2013

RITCHIE, DANDSDILL, SANDSTROM, CASSIDY, JONES, DUKES, NESTEBY, LOWRY, SCHEFFERT

Posted By: Sandy Ficken (email)
Date: 4/22/2014 at 16:06:45

CEDAR RAPIDS

Gaylen H. 'Buck' Ritchie Jr. , 88, of Cedar Rapids, died Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013, in Northbrook Manor Care Center of natural causes. Graveside services: 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, at Linwood Cemetery, Cedar Rapids. Arrangements with Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids.

Survivors include his son, Rick (Meri) Ritchie of Fort Thomas, Ky.; daughter, Scotta Jones (Mark Dukes) of Cedar Rapids; granddaughter, Christie (Brandon) Nesteby; grandsons, Jamie (Erin), Jesse and Thomas Ritchie and Shawn Lowry; stepgrandchildren, Matt Jones, Kelly (Greg) Scheffert and Barb Jones; and great-grandchildren, Taylor and Brystol Nesteby, Kourtney and Payton Jones and Blakelee, Gavin and Gage Scheffert.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Loretta, [Cassidy] in 2006; his parents, Gaylen and Jessie (Dansdill) Ritchie Sr.; and his sister, Virginia (Earl) Sandstrom.

Gaylen was born May 2, 1925, in North English. He was a graduate of McKinley High School in Cedar Rapids. He was a seaman first class in the United States Coast Guard, serving in the North Atlantic during World War II. Gaylen and Loretta were married March 5, 1949.

Gaylen retired from Link Belt Speeder/FMC after 43 years of employment. He was proud to have never missed a day of work.

Gaylen led a full life and loved his family and friends immensely. He was a proud veteran who worked hard for his family, friends and employer. He and his family spent many years at Jolly Roger Campground and boating on 'The Good Times.' Gaylen and his family took a vacation annually, traveling all over the United States and visiting national parks and monuments. He and Loretta wintered for many years in Apache Junction, Ariz. He was a lifelong Iowa Hawkeye fan and a blood donor.

In 2010, Gaylen and Scotta made a very memorable trip to Washington, D.C., as part of the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight.

Gaylen was a member of the Elks Lodge, VFW, American Legion, Church of the Brethren and Hus Presbyterian Church.

The family wishes to thank many people involved in Gaylen's care, including Hospice of Mercy, Northbrook Manor Care Center staff, Mercy Medical Center, the VA Health Care System, Dr. Heidi Dahlem and her staff, and all the volunteers of organizations who came in contact with Gaylen.

Memorials may be made to Eastern Iowa Honor Flight.

Please sign the online guest book for Gaylen at www.murdochfuneralhome. com under obituaries.

The Gazette, 23 October 2013
[per Loretta's obituary]