Kathleen Ritter

Kathleen Ritter, age 61, of St. Elizabeth, passed away Tuesday, January 24, 2012, at her home. She was born in Tuscumbia on January 10, 1951, daughter of Alfred and Irene (Wankum) Dickneite Sr. On June 24, 1978, Kathleen Dickneite was united in marriage to Paul Ritter at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in St. Elizabeth. Paul survives at the home. Kathleen worked for the Division of Family Services with the State of Missouri for 32 years until her retirement in 2001. She was a member of the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary. She served as the Miller County Republican Committee Woman for Osage Township and Supervising Election Judge for St. Elizabeth. She was an avid St. Louis Cardinal fan. Kathleen was a member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church where she served as a Communion Minister and was a member of St. Ann's Sodality and a past Parish Council Member. She is also survived by two daughters, Julie Bock and husband Terry of Meta and Lori Johnson and husband Jeremy of Springfield; five grandchildren, Sophie Bock, Reagan Bock, Eli Bock, Brooklyn Johnson, and Alyssa Johnson; her parents, Alfred and Irene Dickneite Sr. of St. Elizabeth; one brother, Alfred Dickneite Jr. and wife Joan of St. Elizabeth; one aunt, Louise Lepper of St. Elizabeth; several nieces and nephews; and many family and friends. She was preceded in death by one infant brother, Kenneth Dickneite. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, January 27, 2012, at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in St. Elizabeth. Rev. Ben Nwosu will officiate. Interment will be in St. Lawrence Cemetery in St. Elizabeth. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., with a prayer service at 7 p.m., on Thursday, January 26, at the St. Elizabeth Community Center. Memorial contributions are suggested for Masses or to the Capital Region Medical Foundation on behalf of the Goldschmidt Cancer Center in Memory of Kathleen Ritter. Arrangements are under the direction of Fancher-Rekus Funeral Home in St. Elizabeth. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.fancher-rekusfuneralho mes.com