Patricia Ritter

Patricia B. Ritter, 87, of Arlington, Iowa, died Tuesday morning, February 20, 2018, at the Hillcrest Home in Sumner, Iowa.

Funeral services were at 10 a.m. Friday, February 23, 2018, at the United Methodist Church in Arlington with Pastor Dennis Gilbert officiating. There was a visitation from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday at the Jamison-Schmitz Funeral Home in Arlington and r one hour before the service on Friday at the church. Interment was Taylorsville Cemetery, Arlington.

Memorials may be directed in her name to the Arlington United Methodist Church.

Patricia Belle Hawgood was born May 27, 1930, in Cleveland, Ohio, the daughter of Harvey Roland and Mary Dorothy (Rorer) Hawgood.  She was baptized and confirmed at the Christ Episcopal Church in Shaker Heights, Ohio. Patricia graduated from Iowa State University in 1952 and later took courses in education at Upper Iowa University and received a M.S.E. in special education at Drake University in 1978. She was united in marriage to William Charles Ritter on September 6, 1952.  To this union a son, John Frederick Ritter, was born. In addition to being a homemaker and mother, she worked as an activity coordinator at Clayton County Care Facility and taught school at Mar-Mac and 12 years at Starmont. She was the post master relief in Arlington and secretary for the Arlington-Volga United Methodist Churches. Patricia and William divorced in 1972. She was a member of the Arlington United Methodist Church, Lamont Order of the Eastern Star, Elkader Opera House Players, GFWC-IFWC Study Clubs, served on the Starmont School Board and the Goodwill Board.  

Patricia is survived by her son, John Ritter of St. Paul, Minnesota; grandson, Jonathan William Ritter; and several nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, and a sister, Philippa Light.