Elizabeth "Liz" Ritter

Funeral services for Elizabeth “Liz” Ritter of Graceville, Minnesota, formerly of Chokio will be Friday, February 16, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Chokio, MN, with Father John Paul Knopik serving as celebrant for the service. Visitation will be Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m., with a rosary at 5:00 and a prayer service at 7:00 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Chokio and one hour prior to services at the church on Friday. Burial will be at a later date in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, near Chokio.

Elizabeth Ann Robertson, daughter of Oscar and Margaret (Schnitzler) Robertson, was born November 7, 1929 at her parent’s home in Tara Township in Swift County, Minnesota. Liz grew up in the Danvers area, where she attended country school through the 8th grade. She graduated from Holloway High School in 1947. Liz continued her education at St. Cloud Teachers College in St. Cloud, MN. Following her schooling, she was hired in Chokio to teach 2nd and 3rd grades. She taught for three years and six weeks. She met her future husband, Fabian Ritter at a basketball game and was married on April 14, 1952. To this union eight children were born.  Following their marriage, they moved to a farm south of Chokio, where they raised their family. In 1977, Liz started working at Grace Home in Graceville, MN, where she worked for the next 18 years. She then began working for SCMC Home Heath for the next year. Grace Home called her back and she spent another 15 years working for them. At the age of 82 Liz retired and in March 2016, she entered Grace Home at the age of 86.

She was an active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Chokio, serving as Eucharist Minister and Christian Mothers. She was also on a bowling league in Graceville. She enjoyed bus tours, traveling the world. Liz especially enjoyed spending time with her family and friends.

Liz died on Monday, February 12, 2018, surrounded by her daughters at Grace Home in Graceville, Minnesota. She lived to 88 years.

She is survived by four daughters: Joan Michaelson of Morris, Sandy (Don) Wienhold of Long Prairie, Jayne (Lowell) Hacker of Hancock and Micki Ritter of Cambridge; 12 grandchildren: Jerome Ritter, Jeremy (Hannah) Michaelson, Tana (Andy) Erickson, Lisa (Brandon) Overman, Mark (Caroline) Wienhold, David Wienhold, Joey (Amanda) Hacker, Steph (Eric) Payne, Ben (Eilidh) Hacker, Maggie (Keegan) Fennell, Ashton (Sam) Byrd and Kristen Byrd; 14 great-grandchildren; one brother-in-law: Vincent (Virginia) Ritter of Chokio; three sisters-in-law: Clarice Robertson of Milbank, SD, Joan (Herbert) Karpinsky of Mankato and Lillian Ritter of Morris and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband: Fabian; four children: Peggy, Geri Lynn, Lynn and Tom Ritter; grandson: Joe Wienhold; great-grandson: James Michaelson and son-in-law: Gary Michaelson.

Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements. To send condolences to the family please visit www.pedersenfh.com.