Ilene M. Ritz

Ilene M. Ritz, 78, of Parsons, passed away the morning of Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at Mercy Hospital in Pittsburg.

Ilene Mary Gottschalk was born on May 7, 1946, to John Henry and Georgina Claire (Schulte) Gottschalk in Hays, Kansas.

In her early working years, Ilene worked at the Travel Lodge restaurant in Emporia, Kansas.  For over 25 years, she worked as a cook for a grade school and middle school.

A devout Catholic, Ilene was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Parsons.  She enjoyed volunteering at the church and at St. Vincent de Paul Society.  She was also a member of the Elks and VFW Auxiliaries.

Ilene enjoyed the outdoors, growing flowers, working in her yard, watching birds and caring for stray cats.  She especially loved her dogs, Speedy and Cutie Pie.

On June 10, 1995, Ilene and Norman Ritz were united in marriage at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Strong City, Kansas.  Norman preceded her in death on March 25, 2017.

Survivors include:

Two sons – Dale Ouderkirk of Pittsburg, Kansas

Kevin Ouderkirk and his wife, DeAnna, of Lenexa, Kansas

Two daughters – Angela Young and her husband, John, of Evansville, Indiana

Melinda Davis and her husband, Kirk, of Pittsburg, Kansas

11 grandchildren

19 great-grandchildren

Two brothers – Earl Gottschalk of Schoenchen, Kansas

Terry Gottschalk and his wife, Sandra, of Logan, Kansas

Three sisters – Kathy Buhrle of Hays, Kansas

Beatina Nowak of Hays, Kansas

Clarita Baker and her husband, Lewis, of Strong City, Kansas

Numerous nieces and nephews

She was preceded in death by her husband, Norman; four brothers, John Wayne Gottschalk, Allen Gottschalk, Ronald Gottschalk, and Merlin Gottschalk; two sisters, Patricia Gottschalk and Phyllis Murphy; and one great-grandson, Zachary Smith.

The rosary will be prayed at 6:00 p.m., Sunday, November 17, 2024, at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home of Parsons.  The family will receive friends following the rosary.  The funeral Mass will be at 10:00 a.m., Monday, November 18, 2024, at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Schoenchen, Kansas.  Burial will follow at the St. Anthony Cemetery in Schoenchen.

Memorials are suggested to St. Patrick Catholic Church or St. Vincent de Paul Society.  These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS  67357.