Dale D. Ritter

On April 20, 2021 it pleased the Almighty God to summon out of this vale of tears to Himself in Heaven the soul of Dale Ritter, now fallen asleep.

Dale was born October 21, 1934, to Maxwell and Cora (Syverson) Ritter at the family home in rural Stanley.  He attended Pleasant Valley Grade School in rural Stanley and Augusta High School (when the fish weren't biting).  He spent several years working for people and businesses around Stanley and in Chicago until Uncle Sam said "I want you".  During his 28 years 9 months of military service he was stationed in Korea, Vietnam (in the Vietnam War), Japan and Germany, along with multiple stateside installations from Alaska to Georgia, attaining the rank of Sergeant Major.  He retired from the Army in 1985.

He was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran faith at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sparta, WI.  As a member he served as Chairman and Secretary of the congregation, and was on the Board of Education and the Cemetery Board.  He later transferred to St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Onalaska, where he is currently a member.

Dale enjoyed fishing, hunting, trapping and gardening. After his retirement from the Army, he enjoyed the annual spring fishing trip with his brother-in-law, nephews and grandsons to northern Wisconsin and the fall fishing trip to Lake Michigan for salmon.  The stories they told were probably bigger and more plentiful than the fish they caught, but everyone enjoyed the camaraderie.

Dale is survived by his wife of 38 years, Vickie (Stanek) of Winona, daughter Tina (Dan) Larson and grandchildren Joshua, Caleb, Josiah and Lauren of Winona; son Aaron of Eau Claire, sisters Ruth Phillippi of Boyd, Jeanette Westaby of Boyd, Muriel Eslinger of Stanley, Elaine Burgess of Eau Claire, and Doreen Acker-Ritter of Janesville, sister-in-law Linda Ritter of Manitowoc and Darlene Kopenhafer-Stanek of Wonewoc, and their families.

He was preceeded in death by his first wife Tsuyako, parents Maxwell and Cora Ritter, father & mother-in-law Melvin and Lillian Stanek, brother Raymond Ritter, brothers-in-law Dick Phillippi, Marlin Westaby, Tom Eslinger, Elgin Stanek and sister-in-law Sandra Stanek.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, April 29, 2021 at St Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1201 Main Street, Onalaska.  Visitation will be at the church from 10:00 AM until the time of service.  Pastor Daniel Olson will officiate.  Private grave-side services with full military honors will be at a later date in the Onalaska City Cemetery.  Memorials may be designated to St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Onalaska or Luther High School of Onalaska.

The family would like to thank the staff of Saint Anne Benedictine Living Community of Winona and the staff of St. Croix Hospice of Rochester for their deep concern for, and excellent care of, Dale in his final days.  We could not have asked for a more dedicated group to care for our loved one.