Andrea Marie Ritchie

Andrea Ritchie was a wife, a daughter, a step mother, a granddaughter, a godmother, a niece, a cousin, a friend, a photographer, a college graduate, a writer, a snowboarder, an avid traveler, and much, much more. Andrea had an amazing and contagious smile; she had a unique ability to see the bright side in every situation.

In her thirty-three years, Andrea touched more lives, touched more hearts, and made more of a difference in the lives of others than someone three times her age.

On the day she was diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer, Andrea said, “I will not live cancer.” She immediately was looking to how she could put a silver lining on her situation. The fact is, she didn't live cancer; she thrived and excelled, and gave us all something to strive to be in our lives.

Andrea and Aaron spent three years living in Wausau. While there, she loved to volunteer at the Women's' Community, helping domestic violence victims. She also loved her job at Kocourek Subaru. Her Kocourek family's love and support made special dreams come true for her. Andrea loved her mother dearly. “Words cannot describe the Love we shared as mother and daughter, she was my sunshine, and a gift from heaven”. Andrea's dad, Al, introduced her to hunting and Harley Davidsons, which both became passions of Andrea's.

In July of 2015, Andrea hosted the first annual Hope Heart & Sole 5K and .01K, and raised $9, 000 for the Lustgarten Foundation for pancreatic cancer research. We are so proud of her, and the amount of work and effort she put into it while struggling through pain, exhaustion, and a hospital stay just a month before the event. This is just one example, out of hundreds, of how Andrea was selfless and always put others first.

Andrea's physical body lost its battle with illness on Tuesday morning, December 22, 2015, but her heart, spirit, and smile lives on in those she leaves behind. Andrea was born in Sheboygan on June 21st 1982, the daughter of Alan Vruwink and Renee (nee Alferi). She was a 2000 graduate of New London High School, a 2012 graduate of Fox Valley Technical College, and received her Bachelor Degree in Social Work from University of Wisconsin – Green Bay in 2014. Her plan was to forge ahead and earn both her Master Degree and her PhD. In a very special ceremony on the island of Aruba, she and Aaron Ritchie married on June 20, 2012, a day before her thirtieth birthday.

Andrea is survived by her husband: Aaron Ritchie and his daughter Trista: her mother: Renee (David) Klatt of New London; her father: Alan (Krystal) Vruwink of Iola; maternal grandmother: Amelia Trindal; step-grandparents: David (Ila Mae) Klatt and Alice Bluma; Aaron's parents: Barry and Cindy Ritchie of New London; a sister-in-law: Jessica (Jamie) Daun of New London and their children Avery and Carson; step-brothers and sisters: Traci (Nick) Scotch, Tom (Holly) VandeYacht, Willie (special friend Kayla) VandeYacht, and Abby (Brandon) Yaeger; several aunts and uncles: Gina (Kevin) Foster, Charlotte (Tom) Schweitzer, Nancy Alferi, Rodney (Jennifer) Alferi, Joseph (Judy) Alferi, Randy (Jean) Vruwink, Cheryl Seebach (Godmother), and Carrie (Shawn) DeWall. Andrea also leaves behind a large family of loving cousins, many other relatives, and countless dear friends. She was preceded in death by her grandparents: Conrad Alferi and Wesley (MaryAnn) Vruwink, and an uncle Mike Seebach.

Funeral services for Andrea will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, December 30, 2015 at APPLETON ALLIANCE CHURCH, 2693 Grand Chute Boulevard in Appleton, with Pastor Brian Dainsberg officiating. The family will receive family members and friends at the Wichmann Funeral Home, Tri County Chapel on Tuesday from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM and again at the church on Wednesday morning from 9:00 AM until the time of the service. There will be a prayer service at the funeral home at 7:30 PM Tuesday evening. For more information or to share a memory of Andrea, please visit www.wichmannfargo.com.

Andrea touched the people in her life in a very special way, and has countless friends who had a very special place in her heart.

John 13:34-35 “A new command I give you: Love one another.”