Full Obituary

WESLEY A. RITTENHOUSE, age 91, of Willard, passed away on Tuesday, January 20, 2015 at St. Joseph's Hospital, in Marshfield. There will be no services held. Burial will take place in Riverside Cemetery, rural Withee, at a later date.

Wesley Albert Rittenhouse was born in the Town of Hixon, rural Withee, WI on March 9, 1923, to William Edson and May Elizabeth (Heebner) Rittenhouse. He was raised in the Withee area and received his education at area schools, graduating from Withee High School in 1941. While in high school, Wes worked at the Withee Theater and as a cook, during his summers, on the ore ships on the Great Lakes. He was drafted into the U.S. Army on January 25, 1943 and served until he was discharged on December 9, 1945. After his discharge from the U.S. Army, Wes went to Pittsburgh to meet his pen pal, LaVerne Miller, during his time in the service. They were united in marriage on January 26, 1946 in Pittsburgh. They moved to Salem, OR where he worked in the family business building homes. Wes began working at J.B. Sod & Seed in the late 1950's and continued working there until retiring in 1992. His wife, LaVerne, died in July of 1988. Wes married Edna M. (Haire) Rogers on December 22, 1988 in Salem, OR. In May of 1998, they moved to Willard, WI and built a home. Edna died on December 13, 2003. Wes was united in marriage to Erma V. (Nimbar) Brown on April 7, 2006. They resided in Willard until the time of his death.

He had many interests, but especially loved spending time with his family and friends, hunting, fishing, and carpentry work. Wes was an avid sports fan and loved following the Chicago Cubs, Green Bay Packers and the Oregon State Beavers.

Wes is survived by his wife, Erma, of Willard; his daughter: Linda (Jack) Sullivan of Turner, OR, his son: Bruce Rittenhouse of Denver, CO; 4 grandchildren: Mary Middlebrooks, Jon (Nicole) Sullivan, Emily Rittenhouse, Wesley Rittenhouse; 2 great-grandchildren: Camryn Middlebrooks and Cecelia Sullivan; 5 step daughters: Tami (Brian) Johnson of Marshfield, WI, Leah (John) Harding of Minneapolis, MN, Linda (Bob) Schroder of Apple Valley, MN, Laurie Magers of Maple Grove, MN, Lois Rogers of Minnesota; 2 step sons: Darrel (Ardis) Brown of Madison, WI, Bill (Judy) Rogers of Lake Elmo, MN; several step grandchildren and step great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wives, LaVerne and Edna; 5 sisters: Fanny Guadnola, Bea Berchem, Frieda Columbus, Vera Gilman, Audrey Orlando; and 3 brothers: Maurice, Duane and Earl Rittenhouse.