Ella Mae Rittmer

Ella Mae Rittmer, age 81, of Sabula, IA, passed away February 7, 2024 at Addington Place in Clinton, IA. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, February 12, at Calvary Lutheran Church, in Sabula. Visitation will take place from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., before the service. Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery, outside of Sabula.

Ella was born April 20, 1942, in Clinton, IA, the daughter of Ralph and Edna (Comstock) Woodhurst. She attended Sabula schools, graduating from Sabula High School. She married Lester Rittmer, and together they had three children and enjoyed more than 60 years at each-other’s side. Ella worked primarily as a homemaker throughout her life, and also operated Ellie Mae’s ice cream shop in Sabula for nearly a decade.

She was a loving mother, and later grandmother, who loved her family dearly. God and family where the centerpieces of her life. She was a lifelong member of Calvary Lutheran Church and chose time with her grandchildren ahead of mostly everything. She’d spoil them with ice cream and beanie babies, and loved taking them with her to her favorite hobby; Bingo! She also used her free time to stain glass by hand for decoration in her home and to gift to her family members.

She will be dearly missed by her husband, Lester; daughter, Twyla (Arnold) Vegter, of Morrison, IL; son, Brent (Dian) Rittmer, of Clinton, IA; grandchildren, Jillyn, Kellie, Aimee, Derek, Destinee, Nicole, Matthew, and Lindsey; five step-grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; and two sisters, Ann (Lloyd) Haas, of Rockford, IL and Judy Weets, of Sabula. Ella is preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Edna; son, Reynold Rittmer; three brothers; and one sister.