James M. Ritter

James Michael Ritter, 82, of La Crosse, passed away peacefully Saturday, February 16, 2013.  He was born in La Crosse on January 21, 1931 to Joseph and Thecla (Besl) Ritter.  He graduated from Aquinas High School in 1949 and UW-Madison in 1958.  He joined the U.S. Army, serving in the Korean War from 1951-1953.  He married Neva Jean Olson.  He worked for Northern States Power as an electrical engineer for his entire career.  Jim was an avid fisherman and hunter and loved sharing the outdoors with his family.  He was a golfer and bowler.  He was very involved in the community.

His professional associations included:  National Society of Professional Engineers, Wisconsin Society of Professional Engineers, American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers, Tri-State Energy Committee, NSP Engineers-Minneapolis, Past President of Eau Claire Technical Society, Board of Directors for WSPE (3 times),  Past President of Western Chapter of WSPE, Board of Governors for ASHRAE (2 times), Past President of La Crosse Area Chapter of ASHRAE, Member of IES, Secretary of the Board of Gas Examiners, Great Lakes Power Association, Former member of IEEE,  member of the Northern States Power Engineers Association, 1981 WSPE Award-Professional Engineer in Industry.

Membership and clubs included: Member of VFW Post 1530, American Legion Post 52, Lions International, La Crosse Business Club, Fraternal Order Eagles, Elks Lodge 300, Moose Lodge, former member Knights of Columbus, member UW-Madison and La Crosse Alumni Associations, Aquinas Alumni Association, and past-president of NSP Bowling League and Blackhawk Bowling League.

Business clubs included: Chairman of Northern States Employees Credit Union, Past-president of Employees Association-Eau Claire and La Crosse, team captain of joint hospital fund drive, Treasurer of La Crosse Area Home Builders Assoc. and member of Greater La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce.

 He is survived by his wife Neva, children: Jimmy (Maggie), Wanda, Bruce and Kevin Ritter, all of Jacksonville, AL; Robin (Sammye) Ritter of Austin, TX,  and Kyle (Tamie) of La Crosse, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, brother Dick (Marilyn) Ritter, sister-in-law Gert Ritter and his first wife, Helen.

He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings: Alfred Ritter, Helen Limberg, Dorothy Phelps, Bernard Ritter, Larry Ritter, Gene Ritter, and Joe Ritter. 

Funeral services will be held Thursday, February 21, 2013, at 11:00 A.M. at Olivet Lutheran Church, 2100 Bainbridge St; Pastor Luanne Sorenson will officiate.  Burial with military honors by Post 52 will be at Mormon Coulee Memorial Park Cemetery.  Friends and family may call at Blaschke & Schneider Funeral Homes, 1501 West Ave. South on Wednesday February 20^th, from 4-7 P.M. and on Thursday at the church from 10:00 A.M. until time of services.  “Dad, you were an excellent father.”

 Memorials are preferred to the Humane Society, VFW or the American Legion.