Mary Louise Ritter

Mary Louise Ritter, age 94, passed away on June 21, 2024.

Mary was born in La Crosse, WI on April 30, 1930, to William J. and Marie B. (Becker) Servais. She attended school at St. Joseph’s Ridge Catholic School and graduated from Aquinas High School in 1948. After high school she enrolled in the St. Francis School of Nursing. Mary married Louis J. Ritter on December 26, 1951, at the St. Joseph’s Ridge Catholic Church. 

Mary began her nursing career at St. Francis Hospital following her graduation in 1951. After a few years, she took a break to raise her family. She returned to St. Francis in 1969 and spent 25 years as an OR nurse. After retiring, she and Lou traveled extensively overseas.

In high school, she was known as “Servais with a smile”. Mary brought this positive attitude with her wherever she went, touching the lives of family members, friends, and even strangers with her kindness and thoughtfulness. Mary had a strong faith and was a living example of “not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love” (Mother Teresa). She has been able to share this legacy with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She will be missed by us all. 

Mary is survived by her children, Julie Loewenhagen of Lakeville, MN, Mark Ritter of Brookfield, WI, Mike (Ann) Ritter of Madison, WI, and Kevin (Lisa) Ritter of Whitehall, WI. She is additionally survived by her 10 grandchildren (Elyse, Josh, Patrick, Daniel, Christopher, Hannah, Andrew, Rebekah, Benjamin, and Mary Ellen), 14 great-grandchildren (Mason, Nora, Michael, Audrey, Jack, Titus, Eloise, Robyn, Zeke, Evelyn, Violet, Arya, Harvey, and Hank), siblings Dene (Henry) Munzinger, Jim (Gloria) Servais, Dave (Gloria) Servais, Ken (Janice) Servais, Jane (Paul) McDonough, John (Donna) Servais, and Sam (Freddi) Servais, Sister-in-law Ann Servais, brother-in-law Phil (Shirley) Ritter, and brother-in-law Steve (Barb) Ritter.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband Lou, brother Bill Servais, sisters Anne Servais, Ellen Marie Servais, son-in-law Jeff Loewenhagen, brother in-law Paul Ritter, and sister-in-law Karen Ritter.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 AM, on Monday, July 15, 2024, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 130 Losey Blvd., South. Visitation will be at the church from 9:30 AM, until the time of Mass at Church on Monday. Rev. Billy Dodge will officiate, with burial to take place in Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be given to Blessed Sacrament Parish, Mayo Franciscan Healthcare, or Aquinas Catholic Schools.

To livestream the Mass, please go to https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCR1KJ2RoBr7ebKNl26vlag