WILMA RITZEN

Wilma Jean Ritzen, 78, of Fontanelle, died Friday, Nov. 10, 2006, at Immanuel Medical Center in Omaha.

She was born Jan. 26, 1928 in Fontanelle to Gilbert and Marion (Langhorst) Ruwe. She grew up in the Fontanelle area. In 1948, she was married to Leander Ritzen in Fontanelle by Leander’s father, the Rev. Martin Ritzen. The couple lived in Omaha where her husband was an engineer for television station KMTV (channel 3). She had worked for the Omaha school system and for K-Mart. In 1987, the couple moved to Fontanelle where they currently resided.

She was a member of Fontanelle’s Salem Lutheran Church, where she was active in many of its activities. She also had been active in some of the organizations of Fremont’s Salem Lutheran Church.

Survivors include: her husband, Leander “Lee;” two sons, Dale (and wife, Linda) Ritzen of Austin, Texas; and Paul (and wife, Connie) Ritzen of Omaha; a daughter, Sandra Casey of Blair; three sisters, Phyllis Miller and Marjorie Kitzelman, both of Fremont; and Sharon (and husband, Larry) Gillis of Clarkston, Wash.; eight grandchildren and a great-grandchild.

The memorial service will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at Salem Lutheran Church of Fontanelle with the Rev. Robert Kocher officiating. There is no visitation; however, friends may sign the register book today and Tuesday until 5 p.m. at Ludvigsen Mortuary in Fremont.

A memorial has been established to Salem Lutheran Church of Fontanelle.