Obit: Rittenhouse, Wesley A. (1923 – 2015)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Rittenhouse, Heebner, Miller, Haire, Rogers, Sullivan, Brown, Middlebrooks, Johnson, Harding, Schroder, Magers, Guadnola, Berchem, Columbus, Gilman, Orlando

----Source: Tribune/Record/Gleaner (Abbotsford, Wis.) 28 Jan 2015

Rittenhouse, Wesley A. (9 MAR 1923 – 20 JAN 2015)

Wesley A. Rittenhouse, 91, Willard, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2015, at Ministry Saint Joseph's Hospital in Marshfield. No services will be held. Burial will take place in Riverside Cemetery, rural Withee, at a later date.

Wesley Albert Rittenhouse was born on March 9, 1923, in the town of Hixon, rural Withee, to William Edson and May Elizabeth (nee Heebner) Rittenhouse. He was raised in the Withee area and received his education at area schools, graduating from Withee High School in 1941. While in high school, Wes worked at the Withee Theater and as a cook, during his summers, on the ore ships on the Great Lakes. He was drafted into the U.S. Army on Jan. 25, 1943, and served until he was discharged on Dec. 9, 1945. After his discharge from the U.S. Army, Wes went to Pittsburgh to meet his pen pal, LaVerne Miller, during his time in the service. They were married on Jan. 26, 1946, in Pittsburgh. They moved to Salem, Ore., where he worked in the family business building homes. Wes began working at J.B. Sod & Seed in the late 1950s and continued working there until retiring in 1992. His wife, LaVerne, died in July 1988. Wes married Edna M. (Haire) Rogers on Dec. 22, 1988, in Salem. In May 1998, they moved to Willard and built a home. Edna died on Dec. 13, 2003. Wes married Erma V. (Nimbar) Brown on April 7, 2006. They resided in Willard until the time of his death. He had many interests, but especially loved spending time with his family and friends, hunting, fishing, and carpentry work. Wes was an avid sports fan and loved following the Chicago Cubs, Green Bay Packers and Oregon State Beavers.

Wes is survived by his wife, Erma, Willard; his daughter, Linda (Jack) Sullivan, Turner, Ore.; his son, Bruce Rittenhouse, Denver, Colo.; four grandchildren, Mary Middlebrooks, Jon (Nicole) Sullivan, Emily Rittenhouse, and Wesley Rittenhouse; two great-grandchildren, Camryn Middlebrooks and Cecelia Sullivan; five step-daughters, Tami (Brian) Johnson, Marshfield, Leah (John) Harding, Minneapolis, Minn., Linda (Bob) Schroder, Apple Valley, Minn., Laurie Magers, Maple Grove, Minn., and Lois Rogers, Minnesota; two step-sons, Darrel (Ardis) Brown, Madison, and Bill (Judy) Rogers, Lake Elmo, Minn.; several step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wives, LaVerne and Edna; five sisters, Fanny Guadnola, Bea Berchem, Frieda Columbus, Vera Gilman and Audrey Orlando; and three brothers, Maurice, Duane and Earl Rittenhouse.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.cuddiefh.com.

Cuddie Funeral Home, Greenwood, is assisting the family with arrangements.