Imogene Lorene Ritter, 85, of Saint Mary passed away peacefully Saturday, August 6, 2022 at her residence surrounded by her beloved family.
Imogene was born March 25, 1937 in St. Mary to Thomas and Ida (Funk) Loness. She is one of eleven children and the youngest daughter.
She and Kenneth (Kenny) Ritter were married May 12, 1956 in St. Mary. When work was done and the farm was tended, they enjoyed spending time together fishing, going to races, entertaining visitors to their home, weekly dinners out, and just simply being each other’s companion. Kenny preceded her in death on August 20, 2009.
Imogene was a homemaker in every aspect of the word. She loved hosting and entertaining guests at her home and often neighbors, friends, and family would pop-in for visits and were inevitably treated to her “made-with-love” meals. Everyone who visited always felt at-home. She gardened, helped with work on the farm, crocheted gifts of all kinds, loved everything Elvis, enjoyed playing games and cards, and faithfully made her famous Christmas cookies and candy. If you ask anyone, they will tell you she made them feel like family. She was of the Methodist faith, a member of United Methodist Church in Perryville and spent her life honoring the Lord. Her final days were spent resting in her kitchen which was probably her most favorite place on earth. Most of all, she loved and adored her most precious treasures; her husband, her three sons, her grandchildren, all her family and her many friends.
Survivors include her sister, Wilma Golden who will dearly miss their frequent phone chats; two sons, Gary Ritter and Thomas Ritter of Saint Mary who will never know another unconditional love like that of their mother’s; three grandchildren, Tracey (Roy) Hagan, Brandy (Jake) Balsman and Jacob (Kadasha) Ritter all of Perryville, who knew by the sparkle in her eye that they brought her so much joy; and 7 great-grandchildren, Riley and Tanner Hagan, Trenton, Brock and Mason Balsman, and MaKynlie and Drake Ritter, who kept her on-her-toes playing monopoly and croquet and begging for their favorite treats.
She was preceded in death by her parents, 7 brothers, 2 sisters, her husband who she has deeply missed, and her cherished son, Kennth (Junie) Ritter, Jr. Being reunited with those she has longed to see again brings those of us on earth peace and comfort.
