Gordon B Ritter
June 9, 1940 — July 6, 2017
Gordon “Gordie” Ritter, son of Al and Florence (Oas) Ritter, was born June 9, 1940 in Parkston, South Dakota. He was baptized and confirmed at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Parkston. Gordie remained a member at Sacred Heart in Parkston until 2007, and then became a member at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Harlan, Iowa.
Gordie went to Parkston Elementary and High School before attending Finley Engineering School in Kansas City for 2 years. He married JoEllen “Jo” Hinkley on November 4, 1961 at Holy Family Church in Mitchell, South Dakota and to this union seven children were born.
Gordie was an implement dealer at his father’s business, Ritter Implement Inc. in Parkston and eventually took over the business expanding it into the partnership known as Ritter-Walz Implement. Later in his career he sold shop supplies farm to farm. In Parkston, Gordie was active in the community. He was a lifelong member of the Knights of Columbus, an active member of the JayCees, and held a seat on the City Council for three years.
After retiring in 2006, Gordie and Jo moved to Harlan, IA. Gordie enjoyed spending time with his family, entertaining them with his jokes and stories. He was a fan of Jazz music, and had a natural skill to customize almost anything, often making his own “MacGyver” type creations.
He also had a fondness for a variety of motor vehicles throughout his life, with a long history of working with classic cars, various boats, and multiple motorcycles as his hobbies. However, he always had a special fondness for the ‘57 Chevy, as this classic was not only his first automobile, but also a recent purchase and favorite pastime over the last few years. He entered this car into local car shows, winning multiple trophies and making some of his fondest memories.
Gordie died July 6, 2017, attaining the age of 77 years and 27 days. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his sisters, Mary Jean Appel and Joyce Walz; and brother-in-law Allen Walz.
Left to cherish his memory is his wife Jo of Harlan, IA; daughter Anne (Todd) Mack of LaVista, NE; son Mark (Peter LaSalle) Ritter of Santa Rosa, CA; daughter Laura (Joe) Petsche of Harlan, IA; son Dan Ritter of Mitchell, SD; son Chuck (Michelle) Ritter of Seattle, WA; daughter Michelle Ritter of Harlan, IA; son Michael (Shelly) Ritter of San Diego, CA; eleven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; sister Delores (Don) Mullenbach of Chanhassen, MN; other family and friends.
Gordie went to Parkston Elementary and High School before attending Finley Engineering School in Kansas City for 2 years. He married JoEllen “Jo” Hinkley on November 4, 1961 at Holy Family Church in Mitchell, South Dakota and to this union seven children were born.
Gordie was an implement dealer at his father’s business, Ritter Implement Inc. in Parkston and eventually took over the business expanding it into the partnership known as Ritter-Walz Implement. Later in his career he sold shop supplies farm to farm. In Parkston, Gordie was active in the community. He was a lifelong member of the Knights of Columbus, an active member of the JayCees, and held a seat on the City Council for three years.
After retiring in 2006, Gordie and Jo moved to Harlan, IA. Gordie enjoyed spending time with his family, entertaining them with his jokes and stories. He was a fan of Jazz music, and had a natural skill to customize almost anything, often making his own “MacGyver” type creations.
He also had a fondness for a variety of motor vehicles throughout his life, with a long history of working with classic cars, various boats, and multiple motorcycles as his hobbies. However, he always had a special fondness for the ‘57 Chevy, as this classic was not only his first automobile, but also a recent purchase and favorite pastime over the last few years. He entered this car into local car shows, winning multiple trophies and making some of his fondest memories.
Gordie died July 6, 2017, attaining the age of 77 years and 27 days. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his sisters, Mary Jean Appel and Joyce Walz; and brother-in-law Allen Walz.
Left to cherish his memory is his wife Jo of Harlan, IA; daughter Anne (Todd) Mack of LaVista, NE; son Mark (Peter LaSalle) Ritter of Santa Rosa, CA; daughter Laura (Joe) Petsche of Harlan, IA; son Dan Ritter of Mitchell, SD; son Chuck (Michelle) Ritter of Seattle, WA; daughter Michelle Ritter of Harlan, IA; son Michael (Shelly) Ritter of San Diego, CA; eleven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; sister Delores (Don) Mullenbach of Chanhassen, MN; other family and friends.
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