Elaine Rittenour

Elaine Rittenour, age 97, of Wheaton, MN passed away Monday, January 3, 2022 at Countryside Inn in Rosholt, SD.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, May 23, 2022 (what would have been Elaine's 98th birthday) at 11:00 a.m. at Bethlehem Covenant Church in Wheaton with Pastor Tim Shekleton officiating. Pianist will be Cheryl Shekleton. Visitation will be held one hour prior to service time at the church. Interment was held in Wildwood Cemetery on the only nice day last January.

Elaine was born on May 23, 1924 to Amanda (Pargman) and John Watry in rural Grant County. She was born at home. Her dad said that the Dr. had to travel in the snow to get to her delivery. Elaine was the first of six children; three sisters and two brothers. Elaine attended rural school in Grant County and graduated high school from Tintah High School. She attended her 50th reunion in the summer of 1992 in Alexandria and many more since then with the Tintah all class reunions.

After graduation she assisted a family in Battle Lake as a homemaker while the mother was hospitalized.

On November 23, 1943 Elaine married Harry Rittenour of Wheaton. To this union three sons and a daughter were born: James Lee, Gordon Dale, Douglas Dean and Ronda Lynn. Elaine also raised three step-daughters from Harry’s previous marriage: Jeanne, Ardis and Janice.

Elaine was a homemaker until Ronda became school age. After that she was a dental assistant for Dr. Alvisous. Then as a salesperson at Skogmos in Wheaton. Elaine then went on to work for ten years as an Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program Assistant in the five-county area.

Elaine was a 4-H Leader for many years, a Sunday School teacher for many years and Superintendent of Sunday School along with belonging to Circle in Church. Elaine served on the Deacon Board, Christian Education Board and on the Memorial Committee. Elaine belonged to Merry Monsonite homemakers club, was a charter member of the Mustinka Local Farmers Union. She also helped for many years with the Monson Charity Drive.

Elaine belonged to the Wednesday Night Bowling League and bowled on the Monday and Wednesday afternoon league. Elaine has had a high series of 604 as of 1992. Elaine had many bowling trophies. She started bowling when the new bowling alley was built on highway 75. Her hobbies were painting, sewing and crocheting. Elaine also enjoyed going to dances and watching the Minnesota Twins. Elaine loved to garden and also enjoyed watching her grandchildren at school activities. In 1983 Harry passed away from leukemia, and Elaine remained on the farm until November of 2011. She loved it at Prairieview Place. In October of 2020, Elaine moved to Countryside Inn Assisted Living in Rosholt, SD after a short nursing home stay. Elaine was so happy in Rosholt and so was her family.

Elaine is preceded in death by her parents, husband Harry, special friend Lester Rinke, son Douglas, step-children and spouses: Ardis (Ervin) Schultz, Janice (Charles) Keaveny, and Arling Beyer; son-in-law David T. Ranney Sr. and grandchildren Gary Beyer and Scott Schultz.

Elaine is survived by her children: James (Vaughn) Rittenour, Gordon Rittenour, and Ronda Rittenour; step-daughter Jeanne Beyer; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.