Gilbert P. "Gib" Ritter
January 28, 1923 - June 11, 2002
Gilbert “Gib” Ritter, age 79 of Freeport, died Tuesday, June 11, 2002 at Pine Villa Care Center in Melrose. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 14th at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Freeport. Rev. Roger Klassen, OSB will officiate with burial following in the parish cemetery.
Friends may call after 3:30 p.m. on Thursday and one hour prior to the service on Friday at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Freeport. Golden Years Senior Citizens will pray at 4 p.m., parish prayers will be at 8 p.m. followed by prayers from St. Joseph’s Men’s Society and the Sacred Heart Catholic Aid Society at 8:30 p.m.
Gilbert Ritter was born on January 28, 1923 in Millwood Township, Stearns County to Joseph and Catherine (Vornbrock) Ritter. He married Rita H. VanHeel on July 13, 1954 in St. Francis, MN. The couple resided in Freeport where he had a can milk route. He was later employed by Freeport Roller Mills and retired January 29, 1985. Gib worked part-time at the Freeport Co-op Creamery until 1994. He was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Freeport, Sacred Heart Catholic Aid Society and the St. Joseph’s Men’s Society. Gib enjoyed gardening and being with his grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife, Rita Ritter of Freeport; children, Ronald Ritter and his wife, Elaine of Freeport, Judy Theisen and her husband, Bob of St. Francis, Joseph Ritter and his wife, Brenda of St. Francis, Mary Catherine Carlson and her husband, Phil of Jacksonville, FL, Steven Ritter of Freeport, Linda Gertken and her husband, Brian of Albany; 15 grandchildren; one step grandchild; two step great-grandchildren; sisters and brother, Ernestine Zenzen of Elrosa, Irene Lahr of Grey Eagle, Clarence Ritter and his wife, Rita of Melrose.
Gilbert was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Catherine Ritter; brothers, Roman, Albert and Alcuin Ritter.
Serving as casket bearers will be Ron Ritter, Joe Ritter, Steve Ritter, Bob Theisen, Brian Gertken and Phil Carlson.
Honorary bearers will be St. Joseph’s Society.
Arrangements are with Patton-Schad Funeral Service of Freeport.