Deborah A. Ritz

Deborah Ann Ritz (nee Gesme) 69, of Mesa, AZ, formally of Truman, MN passed away on January 12, 2013 at Banner Baywood Medical Center in Mesa, AZ. Born in Mason City, IA to Lawrence and Doris (Kaasa) Gesme, Deborah arrived on January 4, 1944 and was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith. She was the youngest of four children. She worked for 31 years at the Fairmont Medical Clinic in Fairmont, MN until she retired in 2004. Debbie particularly enjoyed travelling North America by motorcycle with her husband and being with people whenever and wherever possible.

Deborah married Dale Ritz on December 13, 1975 in Truman, MN. In addition to Dale, Debbie is survived by her daughter, Jodi (Bruce) Bentele of Round Lake, MN, and son, Trent (Laura) Blinkman of Hudson, WI, grandchildren Brad and Brett Bentele, and Maria, Shane, and Cale Blinkman and brother, Luther (Kay) Gesme of Mason City, IA. She is also survived by sisters-in-law Dorothy Besler-Ritz (Marlin) of Peoria, AZ and Janice Petron (Steve) of New Ulm, MN. She was preceded in death by her parents, twin sisters (Deloris & Darlene) and a grandson, Eric Bentele.

Memorial services in Arizona and Minnesota will be held at a later date. Arrangements entrusted to Mariposa Gardens Memorial Park and Funeral Care, 400 South Power Road, Mesa, Arizona 85206, (480)830-4422. Please visit www.MariposaGardens.com to leave a tribute to Deborah.