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E. Ritter Obituary
E. Kenneth "Ken" Ritter, 87, of Phoenix, Arizona, died at home on June 2, 2014. Ken was born March 30, 1927 in Cumberland, Maryland to parents Alfred and Effie Ritter. He attended LaSalle High School in Cumberland Maryland, where he was senior class president. After serving in the United States Army from 1947 to 1950, he went on to attend Pasadena City College, and completed his engineering education at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, California. He married Rose Marie Neuneker and joined Lincoln Electric as a welding engineer in 1954. Ken and Rose began raising their family of seven children in Marion, Iowa, later moving to Davenport, Iowa. He moved his family to Phoenix in 1977. He was honored to work nearly 40 years for Lincoln Electric, a company known for its principles, integrity and its great respect for employees. He retired as district sales manager in 1994. Ken is survived by his wife Rose, his children, Lisa (James) Grabenbauer of Omaha, Nebraska, Kurt "Tex" Ritter of Phoenix, Dana (Jere) Johnson of Gilbert, Julie Baum of Tampa, Florida, Laura (Burke) Files of Tempe, Margaret Ritter of Phoenix, and John (Linda) Ritter of Santa Monica, California, as well as 15 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Effie, and his siblings, Clara Beatrice Ritter (infant), Robert Alfred Ritter, Ida Beatrice Ritter, John George Macbeth Ritter, Margaret Kitzmiller, and Donald Ritter. Ken led a life devoted to God and to his family. Services to celebrate his life include Visitation from 5-8 PM with a Rosary beginning at 7 PM, Friday evening, June 6th, 2014 at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Road. The Funeral Mass will be on Saturday, June 7, at 3 PM at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 4715 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix. In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged to St. Francis Xavier Capital Campaign, or to Hospice of the Valley.
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Memories and Condolences
for E. Ritter
5 Entries
July 3, 2014
I am so very sorry about Ken's passing, and so very embarrassed that I have been so busy that I did not contact Rose to express my sincerest condolences. Ken and Rose are two of the finest people that my family and I have ever known.
Marybeth Abodeely
June 12, 2014
Ken was always ready to help an associate or a customer. Ken always extended gracious hospitality to fellow Lincoln workers. As he has been missed, he will also be long remembered
June 8, 2014
Our deepest condolence to the Ritter family. We would have liked to be at the Rosary and the Mass but we hadn't heard about it until this morning, June 8th. We will be praying for him and for the family as well.
Cesar and Leonor Maderazo and family
Tom Farris
June 7, 2014
Rose, I always considered Ken one of my special friends. We had a quiet bond between us from our first time meeting. We went thru Lincoln class together and then you both took me into your early Cleveland apartment to share friendship. I remember our visits when I drove west. Bette and I were talking about that so she could meet you both.
Ken is truly my friend that I have always admired. You both have been special in Carolyn's and my life. I lost Carolyn in 2000, remarried in 2011. Bette and I need to go West.--good Lord willing.
What a wonderful family and life that has surrounded you both for all these years. Your family will be there and your family of friends will also have you both in there hearts,minds, and prayers.
I have been blessed to have both you and Ken in my life.
Tom Farris
Mark Wright
June 6, 2014
Deepest condolences from the Don Wright family. Our hearts are with you during this difficult period of time. Dad always had fond admiration for Ken. He will be missed.
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Memorial Events
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Jun
6
Visitation
5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home4800 East Indian School Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85018
Jun
6
Funeral services provided by:
Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home4800 East Indian School Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85018
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