TRAVERSE CITY — Ruth Ellen Rittenhouse, 58, of Traverse City, passed away after a short battle with cancer Sunday, Jan. 30, 2011, surrounded by her children.Ruth was born Aug. 18, 1952, in Traverse City, to the late Paul and Lyma (Rushlow) Barber. She married the late Leo E. Rittenhouse on April 4, 1980.Ruth worked diligently for more than 30 years at United Technologies/Lear Corp. She also worked as a universal worker for the Grand Traverse Pavilions for several years.Ruth enjoyed reading, crocheting, spending time with her dogs and her family.Surviving Ruth is her mother, Lyma; children, JoAnn (Jeffrey) Knudsen, Randy (Meagan) Rittenhouse, step-children, Mark Rittenhouse, Tammy (Dan) Bohn, Jeff (Christine) Rittenhouse; nine grandchildren; siblings, Joann Erickson, Sara (Larry) Adams, Nina Zick, Leah (Fred) Stroebel, Kay (Rick) Skaggs, and Ronald (Marilyn) Barber; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.Ruth is preceded in death by her father, Paul; husband, Leo; brother, Phillip Barber; and brothers-in-law, Charles Erickson and Terry Zick.A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 3, with visitation one hour prior at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home. Pastor Bruce Sheets will serve as officiant. Inurnment will take place in the spring at Linwood Cemetery.Memorial contributions may be directed to Munson Hospice.Please share memories with the family at Ruth's online guestbook at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.comThe family is being served by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.