Wanetta Ritola

TRAVERSE CITY — Wanetta Ritola, 94, of Traverse City, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, Feb. 17, 2012. Wanetta was born in the Lake Ann area of Benzie County on Nov. 14, 1917, the daughter of Henry and Emma (Remington) Kuemin. On Nov. 12, 1941, she married Walter S. Ritola, who passed away in 1998. Wanetta was a woman of profound faith. She was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church since 1933 and was active with the funeral luncheon committee. She was also a member of the National Council of Catholic Women, the Holy Family Society and St. Rita's Circle. She will be remembered as a cornerstone in the Long Lake Community.After purchasing land after Walter returned from World War II, they built their home, which she lived in the rest of her life. She grew flowers, raspberries, grapes and many other fruits and vegetables there. She also enjoyed canning and freezing her produce. In the community, she was an active 4-H leader and member of the school board. In 1996, she was awarded the Good Citizen of the Year. Throughout the last decade she made thousands of rosaries to send to missionaries in Nigeria. She was also the community's go-to person for wash cloths, and she would frequently give them away as gifts. Above all else, she loved spending time with her large family. She is survived by her sons, Leonard (Linda) Ritola, of Traverse City, and Jerome Ritola, of Cleveland, Ohio; daughters, Patricia (Bill) Ritola Bundage, of Traverse City, and Pauline (Brian) Ferris, of Newaygo, 12 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; sister, Kathryn Walter; and many nieces and nephews. Wanetta was preceded in death by her parents; husband; sister, Galetta Jakubeck; and brothers, Raymond, Henry and Denis. Visitation for friends and family will take place on Monday, Feb. 20, 2012, from 4 to 7 p.m., at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home. The rosary will be prayed at 7 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, at 11 a.m., with Father Anthony Citro and her grandson, Father Aaron Ferris con celebrating. Burial will take place at Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens. The family suggests donations in memory of Wanetta to the Father Fred Foundation or to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Please visit www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com to share your thoughts and memories with the family. The family is being served by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.

Wanetta Ritola

November 14, 1917