Ritchie, Wilma 1927-2011

RITCHIE, MAASS, SEEL

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 8/13/2011 at 08:41:45

From: Carlsen Funeral Home Website, August 12, 2011

Wilma Ritchie, 84, of Le Mars passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 11, 2011 at the Happy Siesta Care Center in Remsen, Iowa.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, August 15, 2011 at Grace Lutheran Church in Le Mars with Reverend Tim Geitz officiating. Interment will be at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, rural Hinton, Iowa. Visitations with the family present will be after 5:00 p.m. Sunday, August 14, 2011 at the Carlsen Funeral Home in Le Mars followed by a 7:00 p.m. Prayer Service Sunday evening at the funeral home. Visitation will continue Monday morning at the church from 9:30 a.m. until service time.

Pallbearers will be Terry Maass, Steve Niehus, Steve Portz, Jim Ruba, Robert Nitzschke, and Denny Lubben.

Wilma Arlene Maass was born on July 6, 1927 on the family farm in Henry Township, rural Remsen, Iowa to John and Ella (Seel) Maass. She was baptized and confirmed at Christ Lutheran Church in Remsen. On November 25, 1947, Wilma was united in marriage to Joseph Ritchie at Christ Lutheran Church in Remsen.

Wilma and Joe farmed in Union Township for many years until retiring and moving to Le Mars in 2003. Wilma enjoyed gardening and canning. She always took special pride in her flower garden. Wilma was devoted to her family and cherished the times when the family gathered for visits. She will be remembered for cooking and baking and making them all feel loved.

Survivors include her husband of 63 years, Joe, of Le Mars; her 4 children: Jerry Ritchie and his wife Gloria of North Liberty, Iowa, Donna Mowry and her husband LeRoy of Miami, MO, Janice Fix and her husband Ed of Beavercreek, OH, and Sharon Pratt and her husband Al of Le Mars, IA; 8 Grandchildren: Denise Calef, Jennifer Land, Tina Mowry, Jean Ritchie, Andrew Fix, Alison Pratt, Laura Nicholson, and Emily Fix; 4 Great grandchildren: Abbey and Karley Land and Jamie and Jason Calef. 3 Brothers: Floyd Maass and his wife Edna of Colorado Springs, Co, Arnold Maass and his wife Sharon of Remsen, IA and Kenneth Maass and his wife Bethene of Remsen, IA; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Ella (Seel) Maass; a son, Jimmy Ritchie; 2 sisters: Loretta Nitzschke and Eileen Peppard; and a granddaughter, Jill Mowry.