Ray Ritterbush

Ray Virgil Ritterbush was born September 6, 1942, to Virgil and Isabelle (Smith) Ritterbush in Garrison, Nebraska. He was raised near Garrison and attended country school and Belgrade Middle School. Ray married Jan Hodges on June 30, 1963, in Logan, Iowa. Ray worked for Thomas Amusement, Moore Brothers Grocery Store, IBP in Denison in the maintenance department, Jan and Ray owned J & R Market in Woodbine for a number of years. Ray worked for Boyer Valley Lumberyard in Woodbine and C & H Hauling.

Ray was a carpenter and enjoyed building children’s toys and log cabin piggy banks. He  also enjoyed playing cards, gardening and bowling. Ray liked to watch the Discovery Channel, American Pickers and Alaska, the Last Frontier. He was also a fan of Elvis Presley. Some of Ray’s most important work was done when he fostered 14 children.

Ray died on Saturday, August 24, 2019, at the age of 76 years, 11 months, and 18 days at his son’s home in Omaha, Nebraska.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents; son, Steven Ritterbush; and six siblings, Bill, Jack, Donnie, Jerry, Roy and Ramona Ritterbush. He is survived by his long time companion, Jan Ritterbush of Council Bluffs, Iowa; four children, Tony Ritterbush and his wife Melissa of Dunlap, Iowa, Chuck  Ritterbush and his husband Thomas Linden of Omaha, Nebraska, Paula and her husband Ron Eickholt of Dunlap, Iowa, Tricia and her husband Rick Robinson of Council Bluffs, Iowa; 10 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; sister, LaVonne Tschuden of Council Bluffs, Iowa; brother, Rich Ritterbush and his wife Lila of  Belgrade, Nebraska; and many other relatives and friends.