Obituary for Lori Ann Ritz (Kellen)
Le Mars, Iowa – Lori Ann Ritz, 62, of Le Mars, Iowa entered into eternal joy with Jesus Christ after a long hard-fought battle with cancer surrounded by her loved ones at UnityPoint Health-St. Luke’s on Thursday, October 27, 2022. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, November 4, 2022, at All Saints Catholic Parish-St. Joseph Church in Le Mars. Father Bruce Lawler will celebrate the Mass. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Le Mars. Visitation with the family present will begin at 4 p.m. on Thursday, November 3, 2022, with a Scriptural Prayers Service at 7 p.m., all at the church. There will also be one hour of visitation at the church on Friday before the funeral Mass.
On December 22, 1959, on a farm northwest of Le Mars, Le Roy and Viola (Langel) Kellen were blessed with a beautiful loving daughter, Lori Ann. She was one of seven children. Lori attended and graduated from Gehlen Catholic High School in Le Mars.
On May 12, 1979, Lori married Patrick Ritz at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Ellendale, Iowa. They were blessed with five beautiful children. Lori’s biggest blessing was her time spent with her children and grandchildren over the years.
Lori had a great love of horses since she was a little girl, especially her childhood companions, Charlie and Ginger. She took every opportunity to do anything with horses and collected a wide variety of horse memorabilia. Lori loved decorating, crafts and took any opportunity to go antiquing or finding treasures in flea markets. Her favorite season was fall and her house always reflected the time of the year in Lori’s signature style. Lori loved to be outdoors whether it was taking a motorcycle ride or planting flowers in her yard.
Lori’s generosity and selflessness showed through her work in healthcare and how she treated others. Her smile was contagious, and the size of her love was immeasurable. She will be missed by many but never forgotten.
Grateful to have shared her life are her children; Connie (Rob) Beacom, Jeff (Tracie) Ritz, Dr. Travis (Kylie) Ritz, Justin (Chandra) Ritz and Carrie Ritz; 11 grandchildren and 2 more blessings on the way; her brothers and sisters; Barb (Mark) Nieman, Ann Marie (David) Linder, Chuck (Kay) Kellen, Kristi (Joe) Van Dam, Bruce (Pam) Kellen and Kathy (Bob) Nilles as well as several nieces and nephews.
She is greeted in heaven by her parents, Le Roy and Viola Kellen; her grandparents, Steve and Frances Kellen and Leo and Pauline Langel; her brother-in-law, Tim Dreckman and extended family members.
On December 22, 1959, on a farm northwest of Le Mars, Le Roy and Viola (Langel) Kellen were blessed with a beautiful loving daughter, Lori Ann. She was one of seven children. Lori attended and graduated from Gehlen Catholic High School in Le Mars.
On May 12, 1979, Lori married Patrick Ritz at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Ellendale, Iowa. They were blessed with five beautiful children. Lori’s biggest blessing was her time spent with her children and grandchildren over the years.
Lori had a great love of horses since she was a little girl, especially her childhood companions, Charlie and Ginger. She took every opportunity to do anything with horses and collected a wide variety of horse memorabilia. Lori loved decorating, crafts and took any opportunity to go antiquing or finding treasures in flea markets. Her favorite season was fall and her house always reflected the time of the year in Lori’s signature style. Lori loved to be outdoors whether it was taking a motorcycle ride or planting flowers in her yard.
Lori’s generosity and selflessness showed through her work in healthcare and how she treated others. Her smile was contagious, and the size of her love was immeasurable. She will be missed by many but never forgotten.
Grateful to have shared her life are her children; Connie (Rob) Beacom, Jeff (Tracie) Ritz, Dr. Travis (Kylie) Ritz, Justin (Chandra) Ritz and Carrie Ritz; 11 grandchildren and 2 more blessings on the way; her brothers and sisters; Barb (Mark) Nieman, Ann Marie (David) Linder, Chuck (Kay) Kellen, Kristi (Joe) Van Dam, Bruce (Pam) Kellen and Kathy (Bob) Nilles as well as several nieces and nephews.
She is greeted in heaven by her parents, Le Roy and Viola Kellen; her grandparents, Steve and Frances Kellen and Leo and Pauline Langel; her brother-in-law, Tim Dreckman and extended family members.