Paul M. Ritter

Paul M. Ritter, 77, gently passed on Wednesday, July 2, 2014 at his home.

He was born January 25, 1937 in LaCrosse, WI to Anna and Louis Ritter. On January 17, 1959, Paul was united in marriage to Karen A. Bouchard at Blessed Sacrament of LaCrosse.

Those cherishing Paul's memory include his beloved wife of 55 years, Karen, his four children, Christopher (Amy) Ritter, Catherine (Doug) Guendel, Patricia (William) Guinen, Elizabeth (Mark) Polzin, his brothers, Louis (Mary), Phillip (Shirley) and Steve (Barb) and his ten grandchildren, Christopher, Matthew, Benjamin and Katelyn Guendel, Patrick, Michael, Christopher and Sarah Guinen, Abigail and Jack Polzin and his great grandson, Caden Guendel. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Donald.

Paul began his career in Racine, WI in 1968 with Modine Manufacturing, became Business Manager and Director of Development at The Prairie School from 1970 until 1979, and was Vice President of J.K. Management Services until he retired in 2000.

Paul lived a life of strong faith and commitment to community service. He was a lifetime honorary member and Paul P. Harris Fellow of the Racine Rotary Club, a trustee with St. Paul the Apostle Church, and president of St. Catherine's High School Board of Directors, Lincoln Lutheran Board of Directors and All Saints Foundation.

Paul's legacy will reside in the memories of the many people he touched with his outgoing personality and genuine warmth. Family and friends were at the center of Paul's life. He took great joy from a round of golf or a game of bridge with Karen and their many friends, or attending a sporting or school event for one of his ten grandchildren. Paul was a man of many interests, which made him an interesting man. He had a love for sports, travel, reading, fishing and was a lively conversationalist. Paul will be terribly missed and leaves behind many treasured memories.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Dr. H.W. Short, Dr. M. Choi, and Dr. P. Hari for the kind and considerate care they and their entire staff gave Paul.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday July 7, 2014, 11:00 A.M. at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 6400 Spring Street, with Rev. Terrance J. Huebner officiating. Entombment will be held at Holy Cross Garden Mausoleum, Hwy 32. Relatives and friends may meet with the family Sunday at the funeral home from 3:00 P.M. until 5:00 P.M. and Monday at the church from 10:30 A.M. until time of Mass at 11:00 A.M. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be directed to The Prairie School, All Saints Cardiovascular Institute, or to St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church.