Mrs. Marie I Ritter, 77, of Kalkaska, died Sat, Feb 13, 1999, at the Kalkaska Memorial Health Center long term care unit.
Mrs. Ritter moved to Kalkaska in 1947 from Corunna. She was a member of St. Mary of the Woods Catholic Church, the Acadamea Club, and North Country Hospice, volunteering at the Kalkaska Memorial Health Center. She had been a 4-H leader, and served as a mentor for the V.I.P. program through Probate Court. In 1986, she was Kalkaska Mother-of-the-Year, and enjoyed making quilts and dolls.
Born in Alpena on May 11, 1921, she was the daughter of John and Irene Boilore Dery. On May 5, 1945, in Fenton, she married Fred Ritter Jr, who preceded her in death on May 18, 1985.
Surviving are sons Fred Ritter III of Kalkaska, William Ritter of Bellingham, WA, and Michael (Darlene) Ritter of Fife Lake; daughters Judith (Michael) Eagan of Cadillac, Alice (Jeffrey) Nobis of St. Johns, Nancy (Lynn) Cross of Kalkaska, and Mary (Paul) Slick and Karen (Gerald) Davis, both of Rapid City, brothers Conrad Dery of Ohio, and Robert Dery of Fenton; sister Alice Buckingham of Gwinn; sister in law, Betty Dery of Fenton; 14 grandchildren, seven step grandchildren, three great grandchildren, and five step great grandchildren.
Brother Claude Dery and sister Jeannette Dowling preceded her in death.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 am Wed, Feb 17 at St. Mary of the Woods Catholic Church with Father Walter Derylo as celebrant. Interment will be in the church cemetery.
The Rosary was recited at the church on Feb 16.
Memorial gifts may be made to the Acadamea Club for long term care.
Arrangements were made by Wolfe Funeral Home, Kalkaska.
