Rosemary "Rosie" Ritter

Rosemary L. “Rosie” Ritter, age 81 of Sauk Centre, passed away Monday, February 26, 2024 at Galeon Senior Living in Osakis, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, March 1 at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church in Sauk Centre with Rev. Greg Paffel officiating. Interment will be at St. Bernard’s Cemetery in Ward Springs.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Sauk Centre and from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Friday at the church. Parish prayers will be at 4 p.m. with a rosary immediately following the prayers by the Christian Mothers Thursday evening. 

Rosemary Louise Erpelding was born June 9, 1942 in Watkins, Minnesota to Theodore and Pauline (Schneider)Erpelding. She attended country school in Watkins, then finished her education in Cold Spring and at St. Francis High School in Little Falls. Rosie went on to be a nursing assistant at a nearby hospital. She married Leonard Ritter on February 5, 1964 in Watkins. The couple moved to a farm and had eight children before divorcing. Rosie later attended Alexandria Technical College and became a Licensed Practical Nurse, all while working part-time as a cook at a local restaurant and being a single mother. Once her children were grown, she moved to Cold Spring where she lived for many years before returning to Sauk Centre to be closer to her children and grandchildren.   

Rosie was a member of Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church and previously a member of the Christian Mothers. She enjoyed sewing, reading, and gardening. She found much joy in spending time with her children and grandchildren and loved listening to their banter. 

Survivors include her children, Bob of Sauk Centre, Darrin of VA, Karla (Rob) Herder of AZ, Lisa (Mike Peltz) of St. Martin, Kevin of Grey Eagle, Brad (Kim Panitzke) of Sauk Centre, and Bonnie of Sartell; 13 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren; and sister, Lucille Angell of St. Cloud.

Rosie was preceded in death by her parents, Theodore and Pauline Erpelding; former husband, Leonard Ritter; 4-year-old son, Marty; and brother, Donald Erpelding.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.