Anna Louise Ritterskamp passed away surrounded by her loving family on August 20, 2017. A longtime Scottsdale resident with deep roots in the community, Anna touched the lives of countless local families through her long career with Scottsdale Unified School District, beginning as a beloved school bus driver in the 1960s and '70s, to a transportation supervisor in the 1980s. Originally from Central City, Kentucky, she was born to Evelyn Wilson-Paxton, and raised by her Aunt and Uncle Carrie & Dewey Cartwright, giving Anna solid family values which she taught to her children and grandchildren. Anna met Harry Ritterskamp on a blind date in Evansville, Indiana, and it was love at first sight, and they soon married and came west when Harry went to work at AiResearch. They raised their family in Scottsdale and instilled in them a deep respect and appreciation for Arizona. Anna adored hummingbirds, full moons and warm summer monsoons. Friends and family will remember Anna as a kind and generous woman who cherished and nurtured her family, welcoming everyone into her heart and home regardless of race, religion or cultural background. Her quick wit, abundant warmth, generous hospitality, and interest in learning about the people she met and the world around her will live on in her diverse family, which includes five children, eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, two of whom were born just days before her passing, and were welcomed into the world enveloped by the strength and with the spirit of their great-grandma's love. Her joy of cooking traditional family recipes can never be replicated - as hard as we try, we will continue to pass them down to future generations. When asked how she made her food so good, she replied "I make it with love." Her advice to all is "Don't smoke!" She is preceded in death by Harry, and survived by her children Deborah Ritterskamp, Jennifer Ritterskamp (Scott), Donna Burkons (Howard), Dewey Ritterskamp (Karen) and Marlina LeSueur (Todd). She will be deeply missed by her grandchildren James Jones; Rachel Burkons, (Katie); Holden Burkons, (Suzannah); Lindsey Ritterskamp; Sarah Jones (Maurice); Taylor Ritterskamp; Jonathan Vasquez and Krystal Vasquez. Anna's great-grandchildren, Asia, Virginia, Bowie, Persia, Legend and Juna, will come to know her legacy through their parents. Several angels helped Anna through her journey including Elizabeth, Rosy, Shirley and many more whom we thank with all our hearts. A celebration of Anna's life will be held in November. Please bring tequila in lieu of flowers.
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