Erna Ritter, born March 24, 1927, passed peacefully on August 3, 2026, at 99 years old. She was born in Odessa, Ukraine, within a large enclave of German citizens, to Samuel & Lydia (Vollmer) Gaenzle. At age 8, she, her sister Hertha, and mother fled back to Germany, walking several hundred miles to take refuge from WWII, after losing her father. Beginning a new life, they journeyed to America in a re-purposed troop carrier boat in 1952, on which she met her future husband, Manfred Ritter. With hopes and a strong work ethic, they became US citizens after their sponsorship and traveled to South Dakota while “Fred” served in the US Army. Marrying in 1955, they moved to Gary, Indiana. In time, they built a home together near Hebron in 1972, continuing their German heritage with a garden, chickens, beekeeping and preserving. Fred passed in 1991. In 2002, Erna moved to Valparaiso to be with her children/grandchildren, and enjoyed sewing, gardening, volunteering, singing at Banta Center and 1st Presbyterian Church.
Survivors include their children: Victor (Christy) Ritter & Nora Ritter Sasse; grandchildren: Connor (Carly) Sasse, Austin (Tiffani) Sasse & Dax Ritter, step-grandchildren Kirk Kennett & Derek (Laura) Kennett; great-grandchildren: Beckham & Olivia Sasse, nephew, Richard (Cathy) Lucht, great-nephew Alex (Lauren) Lucht. She was also preceded in death by sister, Hertha (Walter) Lucht, and great-nephew, Eric Lucht.
A private celebration of life will be held at Moeller Funeral Home of Valparaiso. Memorial donations may be made to VNA Hospice of NWI.
