John A. Ritzke

John A. Ritzke, age 76, of Appleton, WI, died on June 28, 2022, of metastatic prostate cancer after an 8-year struggle. He was born on June 4, 1946, in Appleton, WI, the third and youngest child of Aloysius and Evelyn (Nett) Ritzke. He was raised in Jericho, Sherwood and later Potter after the loss of his father, Al, at the age of 39, when he was just 4 years old. John graduated from Hilbert High School in 1964, after which he served in the US Army from 1966-68. He worked at SC Shannon Company (later Nash Finch) for 27 years until its closing. He then worked at Total Floor Covering until his retirement at age 62.

John was married to Sandy Roehrig in 1970 in Hilbert, WI. Together they enjoyed 52 years of married life in Appleton, being blessed with three beautiful children: Michael (Amy), Jessica, and Kevin (Christine) as well as three treasured grandchildren: Elias, Felicia, and Geneva Ritzke. He was a beloved husband, dad, and grandfather.

John was a member of the Fox Valley Seventh-day Adventist Church in Neenah, WI. Attending Bible studies each week was a cherished time. He enjoyed being active in the church, whether as a deacon or caring for its lawn, and especially the many friendships formed from the dear people attending.

Through the years, John also did volunteer work at Harbor House, the Salvation Army, and the Red Cross. He enjoyed being of help to others. In addition, he was an avid motorcyclist, who loved traveling the rolling hills of western and southwestern Wisconsin, with his good friend, Ron.

John is survived by his brother, Stephen (Kathy) Ritzke, his wife, Sandy, and their children and grandchildren, as well as his brothers and sisters-in-law: Dennis & Grace Roehrig (Hilbert), Lyle & Arlene Roehrig (Fox Crossing), Gladys Jacobson (Viroqua), Dennis & Gloria Halbach (Sherwood), Tom & Jean Roehrig (Hilbert), Nancy & Lee Probst (Sherwood), as well as his former sister-in-law, Anita Ritzke-Harder (Chilton), and many cousins, nieces and nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews and great-grand nieces and great-grand nephews.

John was preceded in death by his parents and his dear brother, Mark, in 1983, as well as a brother-in-law, Tom Jacobson, in 2013.

A special thank-you to Dr. Glenn Liu of Madison for his valuable counsel, as well as Dr. Tobias Kohler of the Mayo Clinic, and Dr. William Conkright of Theda Care in Appleton, including its staff, and the caring, supportive people of the Theda Care Hospice.