Obituaries : Elnora Nadine Ritze

Elnora Nadine Ritze, 95, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, formerly of Center Point, Iowa, died Monday, Sept. 13, 2021. A graveside service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 17, at the Center Point Cemetery. Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Center Point is assisting the family.

Elnora was born Sept. 16, 1925, in Vinton, Iowa, the daughter of Thomas "Lynn" and Lola (Wheeler) Burrell. In 1942, she graduated from Urbana High School. Elnora was united in marriage to Laurence Ritze on Nov. 18, 1942, in Kahoka, Mo. She dedicated her life to her children as a homemaker and then worked for Rockwell Collins, the Center Point Library and the Marion Library. Elnora was a former member of the Order of the Eastern Star and First Christian Church in Center Point. She enjoyed macrame, collecting owls and reading. Elnora loved to play games and puzzles with the grandkids. She kept a diary every day for many years.

Survivors include her children, Arlene Ritze of Cedar Rapids, Rita Carman of Lake Stevens, Wash., Susan Hearn of Urbana and Larry Ritze of Cedar Rapids; 10 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; brother, Edward (Kathy) Burrell of Virginia; and son-in-law, Kenneth Scott Jr. of Cedar Rapids.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lynn and Lola Burrell; husband, Laurence Ritze; a baby boy in infancy; daughter, Bonnie Scott; granddaughter, Stacey Scott; siblings, Eudora Kramer, Wilhelmina "Billie" Floyd, Naomi Burrell, Barbara Burrell, Spencer Burrell, Richard Burrell, Lynette Kisling and David Burrell; and son-in-law, Kenneth Hearn.