Lavonne M. Ritzman

Lavonne M. Ritzman, age 84, of Grand Chute, passed away at St. Paul Villa in Kaukauna on Saturday, July 23, 2016. She was born in Stanley, Wisconsin, on October 11, 1931 to the late Lawrence and Odelia (Duss) Heiting. On October 18, 1955 she married Edwin Ritzman at St. Anne Catholic Church in Stanley, Wisconsin. Lavonne was employed with Peerless Laundry Cleaners for over eighteen years before her retirement.

As a homemaker Lavonne enjoyed gardening, canning and baking. Later in life she began drawing and sharing her artistic sketches with her family and friends. Lavonne will be remembered for her gentle heart, sweet spirit, Christian values and the love for her family. She always put the needs of others before her own. Her kindness touched everyone she met.

Lavonne is survived by her loving children, Jeff (Julie) Ritzman of Appleton, Donna (Gary) Giles of Appleton, Greg (Cheryl) Ritzman of Chelsea, Oklahoma, Gloria (Ted) Banker of Knoxville, Tennessee and Kevin (Anne) Ritzman of Appleton; twelve grandchildren: Jaclyn Ritzman and Joshua Ritzman, Angela (Paulo) deMoraes, Aaron (Erin) Giles, Jon Giles (special friend Crystal), Matthew Ritzman, Keri Jo (Steven) Fuller, Morgan (special friend Jeff), Weston and Tommy Banker, Soundarya and Reena Ritzman; eight great grandchildren: Isabela, Ana and Gabriel deMoraes, Adison and Bentley Giles, Calvin, Braedy and Dawson Fuller. She is further survived by her brothers: Richard (Nina) Heiting and Orville Heiting; sisters: Millie (Jim) Mohnen and Nan Mohnen and many nieces, nephews, cousins and wonderful friends.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Edwin, on January 26, 2012; brother and sister-in-law Kenneth (Linda) Heiting; nephew, Ryan Heiting and sister-in-law, Carol Heiting.

The funeral liturgy will be held on Wednesday, July 27, 2016 at 11:30 a.m. at ST. PIUS X CATHOLIC CHURCH, 500 W. Marquette Street in Appleton. A time of visitation will be held on Wednesday starting at 9:30 a.m. until the time of the funeral Mass with Rev Thomas J. Farrell officiating. Interment will be held at St. Joseph Cemetery in Appleton. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund with a Parkinson's foundation will be established in Lavonne's name.

Online condolences can be expressed at www.wichmannfargo.com.

Lavonne's family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Mercier Awe and Dr. Lisa Kokontis, as well as the staff of St. Paul Villa and St. Paul Hospice for their exceptional care and compassion.