Vincent Ritter

Funeral services for Vincent Ritter of Chokio, MN, will be held Wednesday, November 20, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Chokio, MN, with Father John Paul Knopik serving as celebrant for the service.  Visitation will be Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m., with a prayer service at 5:00 and a rosary to follow, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Chokio and one hour prior to services at the church on Wednesday.  Burial will be in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, rural Chokio, MN.

Vincent was born on Oct. 10, 1927 in Morris, MN, to Jerome and Ethel (Noll) Ritter. He married Virginia Lenore Schuster on Mar. 26, 1951 in Chokio, MN. He served in the United States Navy on the USS Dehavan from Oct. 11, 1945 to Sept. 8, 1947.

Vincent operated a dairy and crop farm in Everglade Township until retirement. He also did carpentry work, custom baling and field measurements for ASCS. He was active in the Stevens County Farmers Union and served as Minnesota Farmers Union Vice President in the 1970s. Vincent promoted progressive  public policy and was an advocate of family farming in the Minnesota DFL Party. He also served as a 4-H leader and on the ASCS committee, church advisory committee and township board. He served on the Farmers Union Marketing and Processing Assn. board in the late 1970s.

Vincent was a devoted Catholic and lifelong member of St. Mary’s Parish. He received the honor of Knights of Columbus 4th Degree. He enjoyed traveling, square dancing, watching old westerns and making “something out of nothing” and “sawdust” in his farm shop.

But more than anything, Vincent loved being surrounded by his family and telling stories. He especially loved to tell Ole and Lena jokes (with accent). He was kind, generous and big hearted and believed in working hard.

Vincent Paul Ritter, Chokio, MN, died Thursday, Nov. 14, at Fairway View Home in Ortonville, MN. He was 92 years, 1 month, 4 days.

Survivors include his wife Virginia of Chokio; children: Suzanne Ritter of Morris, MN, Stephen Ritter of Buffalo, MN, John (Roger Holmin) Ritter of Lebanon, TN, Dale (Gail) Ritter of Chokio, MN, Dan (Jane) Ritter of Oak Harbor, WA, Mark (Julie) Ritter of New Prague, MN, and Patrick Ritter of Chokio, MN; 17 grandchildren;  21 great grandchildren; sister: Joan (Herb) Karpinsky of North Mankato, MN; and sister-in-law: Lillian Ritter of Morris, MN. He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter-in-law: Kathy Ritter; and siblings: Veronica Golombiecki, Robert Ritter, Eileen Riley, Edward Ritter, and Fabian Ritter.

Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements.