Wilma Helena Ritter
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November 22, 1931 - July 30, 2023
“Wilma” Mumm Ritter, born Helena Wilhelmina Mumm, was born to Anthony (Tony) and Mary (Kemper) Mumm on November 22nd, 1931, on the family Homestead in Selden.
She graduated from Selden High School as salutatorian in 1949.
On November 23, 1950, Wilma was united in marriage to Cletus Henry Ritter at the Sacred Heart Church in Selden, Kansas.
In her early years, she enjoyed riding horses and the bicycle she shared with her brother Carl, and eventually sharing the bicycle with her children. She started driving when she was in the 8th grade and drove herself to school where math was her least favorite subject. Wilma enjoyed playing the piano, watching westerns on television and dancing and listening to polka music and, also line dancing. She enjoyed riding in the car to see the county and was so happy to finally purchase a brand-new car. Mom enjoyed playing bingo and to let everyone know she bingo.
Wilma was a homemaker, farmer’s wife and was blessed with nine children. She loved sewing and making her kids clothes like the girl’s dresses and the boy’s shirts. There was never a shortage of good home-cooked meals in the house. Wilma loved cooking and bringing her family together centered around the table. Many hours were spent outside where she fed the chickens, gathered eggs, milked cows, and had a large plentiful vegetable and flower garden.
She had many talents including creating beautiful wedding cakes. Her first wedding cake was for her eldest daughter’s wedding in 1972. She spent many hours baking and frosting her creations and they were used to celebrate many joyous occasions for her family and community. She took pictures of the hundreds of cakes she created over a 45-year span. In addition to her cakes, she made the best homemade ice cream.
After her family had grown up and moved out, she worked at Stop to Shop in Hoxie as a cook, for a dairy farm milking cows and was a cook for the school district in Rexford. Her love of caring for others continued as she took care of those in need with home healthcare visits.
She belonged to the Sacred Heart Church of Selden and Altar Society, and Selden Garden Club and enjoyed playing cards at the Senior Citizen Center. She was a devout Catholic and prayed the rosary every day until COVID. Then she started praying the rosary twice a day.
She loved spending time with her family, kids, grandkids, great-grandkids, great-great-grandkids and caring for others and how much she enjoyed them. She lived her life full of love, warmth, and compassion and was rarely upset or unhappy. She radiated sheer goodness, patience, and positivity.
Proceeding her in death was her husband Cletus, her daughter Patricia, her parents, her brothers, Francis and Carl, and many other family members.
She is survived by her sons Bernard (and Barbara) Ritter, Robert (and Laura) Ritter, Michael (and friend Rhonda) Ritter, daughters Juanita (and Ken) Denning, Karen Simon, Mariane Garza, Janet Baalman, Carleen (and Steve) Brewer and 32 grandkids, 48 great-grandkids, five great-great-grandkids, sisters-in-law Bernadine Spresser, Margaret Ritter, and Frieda Goetze.
Mass of Christian burial will be Thursday, August 3, 2023, at 10:30 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Selden. Visitation will be on Wednesday, August 2, 2023, from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Family will receive guests from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. with a rosary at 7:00 p.m. Burial will be in Selden Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made out to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Selden.
Condolences can be left at www.paulsfh.com.
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