Gertrude "Gert" Irene Ritola, 78, a lifelong resident of Traverse City, passed away on July 27, 2022 at Cherry Hill Haven.

Gert was born on December 20, 1943 in Traverse City to the late Carl and Irene (Lautner) Skiver. She had many fond memories and enjoyed growing up on her family farm. Gert met her soulmate, Terry William Ritola during high school and he proposed to her in the 11th grade. After graduating in the Traverse City Class of 1962, the two were happily married on June 30, 1962 at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church.

Gert was a wonderfully devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, family member and friend. She loved anything to do with her family and making sure the house and everyone was taken care of. Gert enjoyed euchre, yard work, cooking, baking and 4:00 happy hour. Her grandchildren especially enjoyed her rice crispy treats. While raising their boys Mark and Brian, she was a devoted Den Mother, Stats/Score keeper, and loved to watch her sons and grandson's play football. After her boys were in Junior high she went to work at the Traverse City State Bank/Old Kent and worked in the loan department.

Throughout her life Gert enjoyed camping and traveling the US and Canada with Terry. They loved to visit family in Florida, California, Texas, and Arizona during the winters. They lived in Wyoming for 2 years, loving every minute, but the dedication to her family called her back home. She was a member of West Side Community Church, where she was baptized surrounded by her close family. She particularly enjoyed camping, listening to country music, singing to Elvis, and dancing to Polka. She also took great pride in building homes with her family and put love and special detail into each home they built. Fondly, Gert will be remembered for her irreplaceable love and devotion to her family and loved ones.

Gert is survived by her loving husband Terry of over 60 years, sons Mark (Cathy) Ritola, Brian Ritola; grandchildren, Josh (Heather) Ritola, Shawn (Kaitlyn) Ritola, Whitney (Zach) Dorvinen, Lily Ritola and Avery Ritola; great grandchildren, Cohen, Maxon, Brody, Teddi, Orrin, Meadow, and one on the way, (Addie); her sister Ila Stowe, sister-in-law, Lexie Skiver, and many other loving family members.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her siblings, Leroy Skiver, June (Ray) Waslawski, Allen Skiver, and brother-in-law Larry Stowe.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 7, 2022 from 3 to 5pm at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home. Funeral services will take place on Monday, August 8, at 11am with a visitation held one hour prior. For those unable to attend her service it will be live streamed at www.rjfhtv.com . A luncheon will be held following the service under the Tent in the Gardens at Reynolds-Jonkhoff. Memorial contributions may be directed to Hospice of Michigan or Cherry Hill Haven. Kindly share memories with her family at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com .