Sylvester M. “Bud” Ritter was born Dec. 31, 1926, the son of Bernard “Ben” and Philomena “Minnie” (Kruse) Ritter. He passed away Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2017, four days short of his 91st birthday.
Sylvester was the fifth of 11 children in his family and grew up on a farm west of Dresden. He attended school in Leoville and farmed with his father and brothers while growing up. Sylvester spent time in military from Oct. 3, 1950 to Aug. 26, 1952, and was stationed at 807 Station Hospital at Camp Carson, Colo., and Elmendorf Air Force Base at Anchorage, Alaska.
On Oct. 28, 1952, Sylvester married Margaret Alice Reitcheck at Seguin, Kansas. They made their home on a farm one and one-half miles north of his birthplace where he was engaged in farming and ranching. Five children blessed their union, in addition to nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, who were his pride and joy.
Sylvester was a lifelong member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Leoville and had served on the Parish Council, Finance Committee, Maintenance Committee, and as a Eucharistic Minister. He and Margaret enjoyed traveling and spending time with their family.
Survivors include his wife, Margaret of the home; two sons, Steven Ritter of Dresden and Greg Ritter and wife, Stephanie, of Dresden; three daughters, Janice Thummel and husband, Jon, of Hoxie, Paula Gooder and husband, Doug, of Seward, Neb., and Elaine Ritter and fiancé, Craig Gasper, of Tipton; one brother, Victor Ritter of Jennings; four sisters, Florence Thompson of Hoxie, Sr. Dolores Ritter of New York, N.Y., Alfreda Colling of McCook, Neb., and Bernadine Spresser of Leoville; nine grandchildren: Daniel Thummel (Betha), Chris Thummel, Michelle Wise (Skyler), Natalie Gooder (Mike Steffens), Austin Gooder (Kelsey Pralle), Brittany Jeffery (Neal), Melissa Ritter (Tim Thornton), Angela Ritter (Ryan Kuhlman), and Jacob Ritter; six great-grandchildren: Eric, Jon Oliver and Ellie Thummel; Cohen and Morgan Wise; and Meadow Thornton; many nephews and nieces, other relatives and friends.
Sylvester was preceded in death by his parents and five brothers, Dennis, S. J., Cletus, Raymond and Francis Ritter.