Preceded in death by Wife Darlene Marie Sheehan Ritter. Parents Louise & John Ritter.
Survived by Children: Kenneth & Leslie Ritter, Duane & Rose Ritter, Todd & Shelley Ritter. Grandchildren: Matthew & Rachel Ritter, Alex Ritter, Samantha Ritter, Benjamin Ritter, Nicholas & Amanda Ritter, Ashley & Nicholas Cerveny, Paige Ritter, Seth & Mandi Letterman. Great Grandchildren: Bailey & Mason. Sister Janet & Edward Guthrie. Brothers in law, Sisters in Law, Nieces, Nephews, Cousins other relatives and many friends.
Celebration of Life Open House Saturday January 5th from Noon to 4 Pm at Papillion American Legion Hall, 230 W. Lincoln St. Papillion. Memorials suggested to Parkinson's Assn.
Francis John Ritter or as we all knew him affectionately, “Tex”, was born in Nashville, Nebraska on May 15, 1932 into the home of John and Louise Ritter and his sister Janet. Francis spent his childhood days helping farm in both Ponca Hills and on his parent’s farm in Louisville, Nebraska. Francis attended Louisville High School where he played basketball and football before leaving school in 1949.
While living in Cass County, Francis met the love of his life, Darlene Marie Sheehan. They would marry on May 17, 1952 in the small St. Patrick’s church in Manley, Nebraska and those nuptials would last for over 56 years. Only Darlene’s passing in 2008 would separate the two of them and she left this world with Francis and her children at her bedside. During Darlene’s long battle with Parkinson’s disease, Francis always stayed at her side and continued to affectionately care for her in their home until her passing.
Shortly after their marriage, Francis and Darlene moved to Papillion, Nebraska to be closer to Omaha where Francis was working for Northwestern Bell. Francis would go on to work within the communications business for over 38 years ultimately retiring as a PBX repair specialist for AT&T.
During their marriage, Francis, and Darlene, (she would never refer to him as “Tex”), had three sons, Kenneth, Duane and Todd. Francis was a wonderful father who lead by example and taught all his sons important life lessons such as integrity, honesty and doing things to the best of their ability. The Ritter home was one filled with love and warmth and an upbringing that involved, travel, (by camper, not by air), hunting, fishing and of course Nebraska Football.
In addition to working for many years with AT&T, Francis was also a successful entrepreneur partnering in several local businesses and corporations. Some of these included, Ritter Cable Installation, Midlands Cable Television, Cedardale Industrial Park and Cedardale Self Storage. Francis also believed in giving back to the community and did so by serving several years on the Papillion City Council and being active on the Papillion Volunteer Fire Department.
Francis was also active for several years with the Masonic Lodge and ultimately the Tangier Shrine. During his time with the Tangier Shriners, Francis was a member of the Shrine Bowl Unit, lead fund raisers for the Shriner’s Children Hospitals and even served as President of the Nebraska Shrine Bowl.
Although Francis had many passions, he loved Family, Camping, Fishing, Hunting, Playing Cards, Nebraska Sports and Creighton Basketball. It could also be said that he did like a good Crap game every now and then.
During the last few years of his life, Tex also befriended a truly remarkable companion in Francis Stall with whom he was able to share fun at the casinos, dinners, UNL sports and travel. Fran, the family thanks you for being there.
At the time of his passing, Francis was survived by his children, Kenneth and Leslie Ritter, Duane and Rose Ritter, Todd and Shelley Ritter. His grandchildren, Matthew and Rachel Ritter, Alex Ritter, Samantha Ritter, Benjamin Ritter, Nicholas and Amanda Ritter, Ashley and Nicholas Cerveny, Paige Ritter, Seth and Mandy Letterman and his great grandchildren Bailey and Mason Ritter. He is also survived by his sister Janet and Edward Guthrie, brothers in law, sisters in law, nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.
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