Ilene M. Ritz, 78, of Parsons passed away the morning of Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at Mercy Hospital in Pittsburg.
Ilene Mary Gottschalk was born on May 7, 1946, to John Henry and Georgina Claire (Schulte) Gottschalk in Hays.
In her early working years, Ilene worked at the Travel Lodge restaurant in Emporia. For over 25 years, she worked as a cook for a grade school and middle school.
A devout Catholic, Ilene was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Parsons. She enjoyed volunteering at the church and at St. Vincent de Paul Society. She was also a member of the Elks and Veterans of Foreign Wars auxiliaries.
Ilene enjoyed the outdoors, growing flowers, working in her yard, watching birds and caring for stray cats. She especially loved her dogs, Speedy and Cutie Pie.
On June 10, 1995, Ilene married Norman Ritz at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Strong City. Norman preceded her in death on March 25, 2017.
Survivors include two sons, Dale Ouderkirk of Pittsburg and Kevin Ouderkirk and his wife, DeAnna, of Lenexa; two daughters, Angela Young and her husband, John, of Evansville, Indiana, and Melinda Davis and her husband, Kirk, of Pittsburg; 11 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Earl Gottschalk of Schoenchen and Terry Gottschalk and his wife, Sandra, of Logan; three sisters, Kathy Buhrle of Hays, Beatina Nowak of Hays and Clarita Baker and her husband, Lewis, of Strong City; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Norman; four brothers, John Wayne Gottschalk, Allen Gottschalk, Ronald Gottschalk and Merlin Gottschalk; two sisters, Patricia Gottschalk and Phyllis Murphy; and a great-grandson, Zachary Smith.
The rosary will be prayed at 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17, at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home of Parsons. The family will receive friends following the rosary. The funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 18, at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Schoenchen. Burial will follow at the St. Anthony Cemetery in Schoenchen.
The family suggests memorials to St. Patrick Catholic Church or St. Vincent de Paul Society. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS, 67357.
Leave online condolences at www.forbeshoffman.com.
