Neva Jean Ritter

La Crosse – Neva Jean Ritter, 77, of La Crosse, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 6 at Bluffview Memory Care, Holmen.

She was born August 17, 1938 to Albert and Margaret Olson in Eau Claire, WI and graduated from Mondovi High School. Her entire career was spent at Northern States Power Company where she served in a supervisory capacity and met her future husband Jim. She married James Michael Ritter on February 22, 1986. He preceded her in death on Feb. 16, 2013.

Since Jim had six children, Neva was excited to marry into a family of children and grandchildren. She loved little kids and spent many hours teaching them and doing crafts with them. She was a faithful and active member of Olivet Beacon of Light Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, and served as Council president as well as in many other leadership capacities. If there was an event, Neva was involved. She was a woman of faith and loved going to church. She also was very active in the community.

Neva enjoyed the outdoors, was an avid gardener, enjoyed traveling and cherished rides in the country. She was an excellent baker, loved trips to the Sweet Shop for her favorite turtle sundaes and she loved to laugh.

Neva is survived by her six stepchildren: Jimmy (Maggie), Wanda, Bruce and Kevin Ritter, all of Jacksonville, Ala; Robin (Sammye) Ritter of Austin, Texas, and Kyle (Tamie) of La Crosse; many grandchildren and great grandchildren as well as several nieces and nephews and her sister-in-law Marilyn Ritter.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Shirley, Barbara and Verna and her brother Robert.

“To Neva, Thank you for being a wonderful mom to us. We love you with all our hearts.” –The Ritters”

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, November 11, 2015, at Olivet Lutheran Church, 2100 Bainbridge Avenue, in La Crosse, with the burial to be held at Mormon Coulee Memorial Park Cemetery. Family and friends may call from 5 to 7:00 PM at Church on Tuesday, November 10, 2015, and from 10:00 AM until the time of services at Church on Wednesday.

The family extends a special thank you to the staff at Bluffview Memory Care for their care, kindness and compassion while Neva lived there.

Memorials are preferred to Olivet Beacon of Light Lutheran Church or the Humane Society.