Hoyt Ritter

Hoyt Ritter of Mercer died Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017, at Lakeshore Assisted Living in Minocqua. He was 98. Mr. Ritter was born Sept. 8, 1919, in Hoyt, WI, the son of Ora and Florinda (Rena) Ritter. Raised in Mercer, he attended schools in Mercer through 10th grade and completed his high school education in Hurley. After graduation, he traveled to California for a few months, returning to Mercer where he worked several seasonal jobs including property maintenance on North Woods estates, and assisted with his brother’s plumbing business. Following the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps. During most of his WWII service years he was stationed in Texas. Mr. Ritter married Elizabeth (Betty) Kitzman on Nov 2, 1944, and the couple initially resided in Chicago, IL. Following his military discharge, the couple moved to Mercer. For 15 years he worked as a deep shaft iron ore miner in Bessemer, MI, and also provided handyman services in the Mercer area. When the mine closed in 1965, the family moved to Hudson where he worked for 3M Company in St. Paul, MN, for 20 years. Upon his retirement in 1985, he and his wife moved back to Mercer. He was a member of the Mercer Methodist Church, helping to build and maintain the current building, and a member of American Legion Post 424. He was an avid supporter of Mercer, providing financial assistance to the Mercer Senior Center, Mercer Library, and Mercer School, including annual scholarships. He and his wife were honored as Fourth of July parade marshals in recognition of their ongoing support for Mercer. His hobbies included fishing, hunting, and following the Green Bay Packers. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; and his brother, Jack. He is survived by two sons, Ted (Carolyn) of St. Germain and Terry (Julie) of Somerset; two daughters, Kathy (Chuck) Rundquist of Stillwater, MN, and Kim (Jesse) White of Ham Lake, MN; 8 grandchildren; and 7 great-grandchildren. Bolger Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. A memorial service will take place at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Mercer School, Mercer Senior Center or Mercer Methodist Church.

Hoyt Ritter

September 8, 1919 - November 19, 2017