Trudy Ritchie

Longtime Homer resident, Mrs. Trudy K. Ritchie, 65, died Saturday, April 23, 2011, at South Peninsula Hospital in Homer.

Memorial services will be held 2 p.m. Friday, April 29, 2011, at The Faith Lutheran Church, 1000 Soundview Ave. in Homer. Judith Lethin will be officiating.

Mrs. Ritchie was born to Selden and Loretta Hanson in Great Falls, Mont. She graduated from Proctor High School in 1963 and furthered her education by attending three years of college at the University of Minnesota at Duluth. Trudy moved to Alaska in 1983, living in Homer. She owned and operated "The Children's House" preschool/ daycare in Homer from 1985-2004. Trudy was a member of the St. Augustine Episcopal Church in Homer. She loved family, children, and the sandhill cranes that nested by her house.

The family wrote, "Trudy was born in Great Falls, Mont., and grew up in Wisconsin, Ill., and Northern Minn. She married Dave Ritchie in June of 1965 and lived in Proctor, Minn. and Fredenberg Township in Northern Minn., before moving to Homer. She touched many lives and made many friends through the preschool/daycare center. She enjoyed watching all her kids grow up and kept in contact with many of them. She was very proud of her sons and her grandson, Casper."

Mrs. Ritchie was preceded in death by her beloved son, Gabriel D. Ritchie, her parents, Selden and Loretta Hanson and grandson, Fritz.

She is survived by her husband, David W. Ritchie; son, Brian A. Ritchie; daughter in-law, Susie Malone; grandson, Casper Von, all of Homer; sisters and brother-in-law, Pam and Bob Elstad of Duluth, Minn., Susan and Daniel Jouppi of Isabella, Minn., and Jean and Spencer Johnson of Marquette, Mich.; many nieces and nephews and all her dear friends.

Memorial donations may be sent to Hospice of Homer, P.O. Box 4147, Homer 99603.

Arrangements were by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.