Charlene Esther Rittenhouse

Charlene Esther Rittenhouse, age 93, went to be with her Lord Tuesday, August 26, 2025. Charlene was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Rittenhouse; parents Paul and Anna Sherwood. She will be remembered by her children Mari Sheets (Tory Kamerling), Dan (Nancy) Rittenhouse, Doug (Kathy) Rittenhouse; grandchildren Ali Sheets, Zach Sheets, and others; great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Char was a night nurse for many years and retired from Blodgett Hospital. She always said she was glad to have retired before the big merger of the hospitals. In her retirement years, you could find her at Brook Cherith Camp, in Pierson, MI, where she answered to “Woody." During her summers there, she was the camp nurse, nature counselor, or she was teaching her love of basket weaving. When not at camp, you could find her at church helping in the children’s ministries, seeing the butterflies and the Christmas trees at Meijer Gardens or taking her grandchildren to the museums and plays. Char was a longtime season ticket holder at Broadway Grand Rapids; she had tickets before the name changed to Broadway, (she would tell us!). Char loved her coffee and always needed to finish her cup before heading off to the next thing.

A celebration of Charlene’s life will commence 2 p.m. Wednesday, September 3, 2025, with visitation one hour prior to service, at Cook Memorial Chapel (East Building), 4235 Prairie St. SW, Grandville, MI 49418. In honor of Charlene and in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Benjamin’s Hope, 15468 Riley Street, Holland, MI 49424. The family welcomes memories and messages at www.cookcaresgrandville.com in their guestbook online.