Anna Elizabeth (Christensen) Rittner

 Anna Elizabeth Rittner was born on July 22, 1922 to James & Mabel (Dashner) Christensen. She was the second of seven children and raised with them on the family farm in Ottawa Lake, MI. 

She attended one room schoolhouses growing up and graduated from Burnham High School (Sylvania) in 1939.

Anna married Alvin Rittner at Zion Lutheran Church, September 24, 1941 and moved to the farm in Riga where they raised their four children.

She was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church (Ottawa Lake), altar guild, farm bureau, county extension and the Blissfield Senior Center.  Anna worked at Lake Park for many years, the Board of Elections and was playground monitor at Whiteford Schools. She always volunteered where she saw need. She was blessed with a "green thumb" and was the garden weeds worst enemy.  Her home made from scratch pull apart rolls with raspberry jam were the best part of every holiday meal.

Anna was preceded in death by husband Alvin, sisters Hazel Salsberry and Helen Koester. brothers John, James and Richard Christensen, son in law Arthur Brenke and granddaughter Christina Brenke.  She is survived by her children, Dr. Melvin (Bonnie) of Alliance, OH, Diana Brenke, Blissfield, John (Mary Livingston) Riga, and Ron (Aileen) of Hudsonville, MI., sister Carol (Dave) Creque, sisters in law, Ruth, Herma & Pauline Christensen.  9 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.

Anna will be remembered for her faithfulness to God, church, her giving spirit and the love of her friends and family.

The Rittner family would like to acknowledge the staff at Kingston Extended Care and Hospice of NW Ohio for their compassionate care.

To all of Anna's remarkable friends thank you for your kindness and concern. You really are the "greatest generation".

Carolyn, you came to help and became family. Thank you.

A celebration of Anna's life will be held at Zion Lutheran Church in Ottawa Lake on Saturday, July 8th with visitation at 10am and service at 11am.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Zion Lutheran Church or Hospice of NW Ohio or donor's choice.  Online condolences may be offered at www.reebfuneralhome.com