Nina Gayle Ritter

Nina Gayle Ritter, age 91, passed away early Monday morning, June 15, 2026. She is preceded in death by her parents Perry and Gladys Stanley, as well as her husband of 62 years, Leonard Ritter. She will be lovingly missed by her daughters Leslie Ritter of Kentwood, Michigan and Pennie Drew of Demorest, Georgia; grandchildren Isaac (Becky) Drew, Amanda (Eder) Diaz, Allison (Josh) Hebert, Arthur Drew; and 14 great-grandchildren. She will also be lovingly remembered by her last surviving sister, Bonita Ragas.

Nina grew up in the hills of Kentucky as a proud coal miner's daughter in a large family of nine. As a young woman, she bravely went to live with her aunt in Norfolk, Virginia, where she joined the USO and hoped to meet her future husband, which she did. He was in the US Navy so they ended up stationed on the island of Bermuda for the first four years of marriage. Once back in the States, they settled in Wyoming, Michigan, and stayed there for the rest of their lives.

Taking care of family was extremely important to Nina and she was a wonderful wife, mother, homemaker, and stay at home mom - diligently taking care of her family and home. She was an avid seamstress, cook, and birdwatcher. She loved listening to Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Loretta Lynn. She always took time to pass on skills to her kids and grandkids like sewing and cooking. Camping and traveling around Michigan was well loved by her and her husband after retirement. She will be missed.

A private family service will be held. The family welcomes memories and messages at www.cookcaresgrandville.com in their guestbook online.