Marie Katherine Ritchie

Marie Katherine (Rietz) Ritchie, age 98, passed away May 2, 2017 in Arvada Colorado. She was born August 8, 1918 in Iliff Colorado. She was married to Marvin Leroy Ritchie (Deceased) of Denver, Colorado on September 19,1937. They had three children: Melvin Edward Ritchie, Deniese Barbara Angelino, and Donald Leroy Ritchie. Melvin and Sondra (Grill) had one child; Philip John Ritchie (Deceased). Melvin is now married to Barbara Ann (Greene) Ritchie. Deniese and David Gryson Link had two children; Dorolyn Yvonne (Link) Alper and Deanna Michele (Link) Jennings and Deniese is now married to Normand Madore. Donald and Roxann Pauline (Satriano) had one child: Ryan Vincent Ritchie (Deceased).Marie Ritchie had two brothers Floyd William Rietz (Deceased) married to Anna Margaret (Kisler) (Deceased) and Albert William Rietz (deceased) married to Betty Jane Greenemeier.

There are 6 Grandchildren, 17 Great-Grandchildren, and 11 Great-Great-Grandchildren.

Marie Ritchie was born in Iliff, Colorado, moved to Nebraska for a short time before moving to Globeville (Downtown Denver) with her family. She remembered her years of growing up on Lincoln Street and the relatives that lived on Sherman Street. Her father Phillip Rietz worked for Burlington Railroad (as a boiler maker) at the round house in Globeville and her mother Mary Katherine (Peltz) worked as a house servant. A number of the relatives worked for the Burlington Railroad, which made a close-neat German community. Their German church (one of four) was on Lincoln Street. Marie Ritchie was a housewife until the children reached high school when she took a job with Skaggs Drug Stores. After retirement she enjoyed fishing with Marvin and helping raise her Grandson Ryan. She also enjoyed playing Bingo with her sister-in-law (Betty). She spent many hours crocheting and embroidering items for the family and friends. She so missed her eyesight the last 5 years of her life. She also enjoyed cooking, baking and playing Yahtzee and pinochle and her yearly trips to Blackhawk and playing the slots with her daughter.

The last two years she lived in Oberon assisted living facility and was adopted by some of the cleaning help and health care givers as their mother and when they came in from behind her and talked to her, she would get the biggest smile (she knew them all by their voices). Her son and her two daughters-in-law’s visited her almost daily. She was cognizant most all the time except for her last day.

Visitation will be Thursday, May 18, 2017 from 4-7:00 PM at Olinger Crown Hill Mortuary. Cryptside service will be Friday, May 19, 2017 at 9:30 AM in the Olinger Crown Hill Cemetery Tower of Memorial. Memorial service will be Friday, May 19, 2017 at 11:00 AM in the Olinger Crown Hill Pavilion of Reflection.