- Henry F. Ritter, 76, Birnamwood, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 2, 2015, while listening to the sounds of his family at the lake. Grandchildren were waterskiing and tubing because after all, the temperature of the water was 58 degrees and his children were at the picnic table preparing to grill lunch.
Hank was born on July 1, 1938 in Nadeau, MI, the son of the late Arnold and Elizabeth (Rouse) Ritter.
He graduated from Neenah High School in 1956 and for a brief time worked at Neenah Paper. Hank voluntarily enlisted in the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged in 1959. Upon returning, Hank began his 41 year career as a Sales Representative in the paper industry in the Fox Valley. He retired in 2000 and using the trees he had planted 40 years earlier, he cut, planed and finished the wood to build his dream home on Mayflower Lake. Hank enjoyed gardening, cooking and woodworking, but he especially loved all the time he spent with his family at the lake home.
Survivors include five children, Michelle (Buck) Brinkman, Hatley, Mike (Julie) Ritter, Town of Easton, Cheryl (Kolby) Muscha, Birnamwood, Jenny (Scott) Augustine, Krakow and Matt Ritter, Greenville; 12 grandchildren, Jordan, Lauren, Aaron, Siarra, Amanda, Logan, Elizabeth, Luke, Martin, Ethan, Clara and Emelia; one brother, Arnold, Jr. (Mary) Ritter, Menasha; one sister, Dorothy (Wilbur) Lazotte, Wausau and one sister-in-law, Barbara Ritter, Appleton. He is also survived by other relatives and friends.
In addition to his parents, Hank was preceded in death by one sister, Eunice Zamzow and one brother, James Ritter.
The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11am on Wednesday, May 6, 2015 at St. Florian Catholic Church, Hatley. Fr. Roy Witucki will officiate. Interment will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be held from 10am until the time of the service on Wednesday at the church. Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home, Birnamwood is assisting the family with arrangements. Memories and condolences may be shared at schmidtschulta.com.
With the loons and eagles never far away, Henry lived life his way until his final breath.
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1938 - 2015 (76 years)
Education - High School
