James Ray RITTER

RITTER, BOONE, DENGER, SHIELDS, SCHAEFFER

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 12/17/2016 at 18:36:50

September 10, 1946 ---- December 9, 2016

Jim Ritter, age 70, of Dows, Iowa, a life long farmer and Dows area native, died Friday, December 9, 2016, at his home in Dows, following complications with various health issues. Private services for family and close friends will be held Friday, December 16th at 1pm at the Andrews Funeral Home in Belmond which is in charge. Private burial will be held at a later date. There will be no visitation. Memorials or expressions of sympathy my be directed to his family at their home at 2762 Dows Williams Road, Dows, IA 50071.

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James R. Ritter, 70, died December 9, 2016 while asleep at his home in Dows. A private service was held December 16 at Andrews Funeral Home in Belmond. Stan Watne officiated. Inurnment will be at a later date.

James Ray was born September 10, 1946 to Ronald and Bessie (Boone) Ritter. He was baptized and confirmed at Vernon Lutheran Church in rural Dows. He graduated from Dows High School in 1964 where he was active in FFA. Jim joined the National Guard in 1966 and spent his tenure in the United States. Jim was united in marriage to (Romona) Jean Denger in September 14, 1968 at the Dows Presbyterian Church. Jim and Jean farmed near Dows for almost 50 years. He enjoyed farming and the cattle, sheep and pigs. He could often be seen tooling around on his gator and going to the shooting range. Other favorite pastimes included playing Solitaire on the computer, watching Fox News, John Wayne movies and Top Gun, and listening to country music. Jim also enjoyed traveling and visiting with others.

He was preceded in death by his parents. Jim is survived by his wife Romona “Jean” of Dows; daughters Stephanie (Eric) Shields and their daughter Emma of Lamoni, and Sarah Ritter of Fort Dodge; brothers Robert (Judy) Ritter of Dows, and Doug (Pam) Ritter of Webster City; and sister Cindy (Jim) Schaeffer of Clarion. Memorials are suggested to the America Diabetes Association or the American Heart Association.