Obituary for Linda Mae Ritz
Linda Mae Ritz, 73, passed away Saturday, December 5, 2020, at Jenkins Living Center in Watertown, South Dakota, in hospice care after a valiant battle with the Covid-19 virus.
Linda was a resident at New Horizons Living Center in Watertown, South Dakota.
Linda was born on October 23, 1947, the daughter of Fred and Gertrude (Henrichs) Ritz. She lived on the family farm northwest of Watertown and north of Lake Kampeska. Later, she was a resident at Redfield State Hospital and School in Redfield, South Dakota. She returned to Watertown and lived in the ATCO supervised apartments and work center. For the past several years, she has lived at New Horizons group home in Watertown.
Linda enjoyed socializing with her many friends at Grace Lutheran Church, the Watertown Senior Center, Joy Ranch, and New Horizons. She loved earning rewards of treats, money, lunch outings to the Wheel Inn, shopping trips, and pretty jewelry for goals reached and good behavior. Linda enjoyed talking on the phone and sending cards and hand-written letters to family members and friends, and watching TV.
Linda was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Gertrude Ritz, her brother Jim Ritz, and her sisters Rose Roberts, Gertrude Hillestad Rusche, Martha Hanten, and Carol Jean Ritz.
Linda is survived by her siblings Helen Valliere of Haines City, FL, and Don (Darlene) Ritz of Watertown, her sister-in-law Charlotte Ritz of Watertown, and several nephews and nieces, great nephews and nieces, and great-great nephews and nieces.
Linda’s family extends their gratefulness and thanks to the medical personnel, social workers, EMT personnel, and hospice team at Brown Clinic, New Horizons, Prairie Lakes Hospital and Hospice Unit, and Jenkins Living Center Hospice Unit for caring for Linda during her final illness and transition. You all are true heroes of care and compassion.
A Public visitation for family and friends will be held on Wednesday, December 9, 2020, from 4-6 p.m. at Wight & comes Funeral Chapel.
Private Family Services will be held on Thursday, December 10, 2020, at Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel, 1111 4th St. N.E., Watertown, SD 57201 with burial to follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Tim Pletten, Milt Pletten, Kevin Pletten, Jeff Sheperd, D. J. Wyman and Lance Hoeke.
Masks are required.
Those wishing to sign the online guestbook or leave a message of condolence may go to www.wightandcomes.com.
A link to a video of the memorial service will be available at the bottom of Linda's obituary.
Linda was a resident at New Horizons Living Center in Watertown, South Dakota.
Linda was born on October 23, 1947, the daughter of Fred and Gertrude (Henrichs) Ritz. She lived on the family farm northwest of Watertown and north of Lake Kampeska. Later, she was a resident at Redfield State Hospital and School in Redfield, South Dakota. She returned to Watertown and lived in the ATCO supervised apartments and work center. For the past several years, she has lived at New Horizons group home in Watertown.
Linda enjoyed socializing with her many friends at Grace Lutheran Church, the Watertown Senior Center, Joy Ranch, and New Horizons. She loved earning rewards of treats, money, lunch outings to the Wheel Inn, shopping trips, and pretty jewelry for goals reached and good behavior. Linda enjoyed talking on the phone and sending cards and hand-written letters to family members and friends, and watching TV.
Linda was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Gertrude Ritz, her brother Jim Ritz, and her sisters Rose Roberts, Gertrude Hillestad Rusche, Martha Hanten, and Carol Jean Ritz.
Linda is survived by her siblings Helen Valliere of Haines City, FL, and Don (Darlene) Ritz of Watertown, her sister-in-law Charlotte Ritz of Watertown, and several nephews and nieces, great nephews and nieces, and great-great nephews and nieces.
Linda’s family extends their gratefulness and thanks to the medical personnel, social workers, EMT personnel, and hospice team at Brown Clinic, New Horizons, Prairie Lakes Hospital and Hospice Unit, and Jenkins Living Center Hospice Unit for caring for Linda during her final illness and transition. You all are true heroes of care and compassion.
A Public visitation for family and friends will be held on Wednesday, December 9, 2020, from 4-6 p.m. at Wight & comes Funeral Chapel.
Private Family Services will be held on Thursday, December 10, 2020, at Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel, 1111 4th St. N.E., Watertown, SD 57201 with burial to follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Tim Pletten, Milt Pletten, Kevin Pletten, Jeff Sheperd, D. J. Wyman and Lance Hoeke.
Masks are required.
Those wishing to sign the online guestbook or leave a message of condolence may go to www.wightandcomes.com.
A link to a video of the memorial service will be available at the bottom of Linda's obituary.