My grandma & I went to Art Prize (2021) & the Boba Bar before we went to see a play. She didn't know I was taking this picture but it's one of my favorites. She loved this painting and it was such a good day I'll never forget.

We always loved visiting the plants & butterflies in Meijers Gardens.

We used to go out to a nice restaurant we both loved and take a trip to Chicago every November for my birthday together for many years. I always looked forward to it. I was recently planning a trip back to Chicago I was really excited to tell her about.

In a visit to The Potter’s House I just learned of Sharon’s passing. Absent from the body, present with the Lord. Sharon was one of the finest people I’ve ever known; devoted, kind, sensitive with a fabulous sense of humor. I pray that God gives her family His shalom during this time of mourning with the blessed assurance that they will all see her again. There are certain people in life who take seriously Paul’s encouragement to make others jealous of our faith. Sharon was exemplary in carrying out that mission.

When Sharon and I were juniors in high school, we were in the same literature class. The teacher was pretty nice she told us about Robert Frost coming to a church in Grand Rapids. We decided to go even though most kids thought that it was “uncool” to want to do that. Eventually we made our way there and saw Robert Frost recite his own poetry.

I have known Sharon since grade school. It makes me so sad that I was not able to attend her service because we just found out about her passing. Please accept my sincere condolences.  We had started last year getting together for lunch and were planning another for this month. There were 5 of us. I have many fun and fond memories of our times together.   Please know that I will be praying for peace and comfort for the family.

I knew Mrs. Ritter as a colleague, but my admiration for her grew when she taught my boys in 2nd and 3rd grade. She always had kind and encouraging words for me as a parent and loved my boys deeply. Under her guidance, they grew in their faith, especially in prayer. Mrs. Ritter’s impact on my boys extended far beyond the classroom—she attended their open houses and faithfully prayed for them. Mrs. Ritter, you will be dearly missed, but I find comfort knowing you are now singing and worshipping the Lord in fullness. To her family, may the Lord bless and keep you as you remember your beloved wife, mother, and friend.

Dear Chuck, Sheila and ALL family members, I send my condolences for the passing of sweet Sharon, a dear friend to so many.  I had the privilege of teaching next door to Sharon at TPH.   We chatted often and helped each other in small, meaningful ways.  We “retired” at the same time.  For three years we have been meeting monthly for breakfast at Panera.  We were a book club of two.  I have SO many fond memories.
  I do understand how much you are missing her and how hard it is emotionally.  Let God comfort and strengthen you daily.  May your precious memories of her sustain you.
  Prayers and blessings, Hazel Cox

So sorry for your loss.  Will always remember 
the laughter we've shared.

Mrs.Ritter worked with my daughter’s grandmother Rosalia Espindola for many many years at the Potters house. She had Natalise’s dad Edwin and other family member’s of Natalise’s in her class ,as well as Natalise. Every time she saw Eddie, Natalise or myself she would always stop to chat with us and end our conversations with a big Hug. She was the most kindhearted soft spoken person I have ever met.The love and compassion she had for teaching and her students really showed. She came to sporting events to cheer on her fellow students and even made it to Natalise’s Quinceanera. We will forever cherish her in our hearts. You will be missed dearly Mrs. Ritter. 
My condolences,
  Ashley Martinez

It says:  Chuck & Sharon Ritter, Sheila age 13, Curtis age 6, 1978, taken by their home.

As one of her students, I learned from her well beyond my graduation. her words, though not clearly remembered, had a profound impact on me, and he smile was enough to keep me moving forward. I really can't figure out how to articulate just how significant she was to my growth. 

-Daniel Hill

Sharon was such a gracious and joy-filled lady!  She and her faithful trust in the Lord will be missed.

Christmas presents 1981 With my aunt Helen and uncle Howard Hobbs

My Aunt Sharon  was married to my mom‘s brother Chuck Ritter.  I have fond memories growing up of us spending the holidays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, with the Ritter family, and the Hobbs family, all of our cousins.  My aunt Sharon would send me a a card with money every year for my birthday, which was very sweet. I remember she cleaned for my parents for several years while I was still living at home and she was always so wonderful, patient and understanding to my dog Katie. I feel like my Aunt Sharon was always a cheerleader for me and others.  My husband and I appreciated her attending and celebrating our wedding and marriage in Grand Rapids.  Sharon Ritter was a kind, soft-spoken, strong, independent woman.  And she always laughed at my jokes.  I’ll remember her generosity in  volunteering her time and talents  at Potter‘s house, an organization that she loved.  Rest in peace, aunt Sharon.  Love Mike Rash(nephew)

Thanksgiving dinner 1995 to celebrate Sheila and Kim 30th birthdays, "twin cousins" with birthdays just a day apart

Sharon, Sheila, Kim, AnnaBelle Workman at Mother Daughter Banquet, May 1975, yellow prairie outfits sewn by AnnaBelle

Chuck, Sheila, Curt and family,

There are too many memories of Sharon to share here. She was one of my aunts in Christ and I will always remember her with much love. Her smile and her laughter and her genuine kindness showed me Jesus. My heart goes out to all of you!

I had the pleasure of having Mrs. Ritter as my third grade teacher, but was blessed by her love, support, and prayers so far beyond my time as a student. While I grew up in a Christian home, it was in her class that I first truly understood the power of Easter Sunday. She was a loving, generous, God-fearing woman. She will be so deeply missed, especially around her TPH community, but I know that she is dancing with joy in the presence of our Lord.

Sheila, I don’t know if you remember me - Carol Hewitt. I believe you are the same age as my brother Mark. I am so sorry for your loss!

Carol

She was our favorite teacher. She was the only one to get through to my son in such a sweet loving manner. She will ALWAYS hold a very special place in our hearts. I'm thankful for the time we spent outside of school as well. She was one very special lady I'm proud to have called my friend. Rest in Heaven beautiful lady. There will be an abundance of peanut butter fudge for you there.

It was an honor to study God’s word alongside such a humble servant of the Lord! Sharon was a member in my BSF group my 1st year as a leader during the 2022/23 Kingdom Divided study. Sharon was not just an attendee of the study,  she was a mentor & friend.  She regularly mentored me with her gracious words of encouragement, stories, beautiful insights, & contagious laughter! Sharon was an amazingly kind, gentle, sweet, humble Jesus follower, who truly loved God & others around her SO well! She will be dearly dearly missed! My heart breaks for her husband, all of her extended family, & all the many children she has mentored over the years (including granddaughters - they are definitely feeling a piece of their heart missing today! I'm so sorry for your loss. What a tender Christ-focused woman she was - quiet but her words & presence were SO powerful/profound. We are sorrowful at the absence of her presence now, but we rejoice in knowing she is face to face for the first time with our Risen & Glorious LORD and Savior Jesus. Praying for you all. 

Your Sister in Christ,
Sarah Boerma

Always helping kids reach higher to their next goal and encouraging to never let their eyes off of Christ!

She took time on her weekend to come to a birthday party and share a smile!

She made sure to show up and support at every chance

Ritter shaped young minds and instilled Christ’s love, preparing children like arrows for the world. Her legacy lives on in their lives.

Charles

I am very sorry for your loss. It broke my heart to hear about her passing.   She was amazing and helped me personally through many things in life.   My prayers are with you and the family 

Sincerely
Randy Basinger

Some of my best memories with Sharon were sitting and looking out at the ocean and having deep conversations about life, faith, and Jesus.  To have Sharon as a friend was such a rich blessing.

My dear travel buddy, always up for an adventure.  We loved discovering God's world together

Aunt Sharon, may you rest in peace and rise in glory. You were always there for family gatherings and milestones with uncle Chuck, Sheila, & Curt & usually with some special  yummie dish of food you prepared.  Although I lived across country, and decades went by so fast, it  felt good on the rare occasion our paths would cross.  You had a positive influence. I hope you knew. I still have the high school graduation gift from you & uncle Chuck which has been a symbol of encouragement &  family support across the miles.  It’s your huge smile & laugh I will always remember.

She’s definitely a head one to miss! She was always so kind and so loving to me. Every chance I got to visit her, I would! She ALWAYS stopped to embrace me no matter what she was doing! She would tell everyone that I was one of her first students. I always enjoyed her seeing her at sports games. She always told me she was proud of me and she always made me feel loved! I’m so proud to have her student and later a friend! I love you Mrs.Ritter and I will never forget what you have done for me!

Mrs Ritter coming to visit us at our house to see Josiah’s pig

Mrs. Ritter came to my brother’s graduation party. We gave her eggs from our chickens because she loved the variety of colors that they came in. Especially the green and light blue ones. I used to give her eggs in 2nd and 3rd grade and even years after that. I did this because it was a joy watching her face light up when she received them. She always made it a priority to show her love for her students. I felt her love way past 2nd and 3rd grade. She made a difference in my life, and always told me to keep trying and never give up. No other teacher has ever made the type of impact on me and my life the way Mrs. Ritter did. I will always love her and will miss her greatly. I will always remember and look at the binders she would put together for each student at the end of the year. That included pictures and memories from the year. I will always remember how patient and kind she was. I will always remember she loved each and every one of her students. I will always remember that her favorite word was “because”. I will always remember how strong she was in her faith and how she inspired me to be closer to God. Thank you Mrs. Ritter for being a light in this world. For always believing in me, and making me feel special. You mean so much to me and always will. I will miss you greatly and all you have done for the people you love and all you have done for me.

OBITUARY

Sharon Kay Ritter

September 2, 1943 – August 27, 2024

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