Bernice Edna (Kinley) Rittmer

Bernice Edna (Kinley) Rittmer of Silver Lake passed away peacefully in her home of 68 years surrounded by her daughters on September 4th, 2017 at the age of 94. Bernice was born in Coggon, IA, the daughter of Edward and Winifred (O’Hara) Kinley. She was educated in the schools of Coggon. On March 15th, 1945 she was united in marriage to Lee Rittmer. He preceded her in death on June 30, 1997.

Bernice and Lee moved to Wisconsin in 1947. She loved her role as homemaker. She enjoyed music, dancing, singing at home, crocheting (she taught herself), and especially family, including her kids, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She had a love of children. Any small child could brighten her day. She was happiest when the house was noisy and full of little kids running around. Her taffy apples, turtles, and egg nog were the best around and became family traditions. She passed down many sayings from her mother including a favorite way to get faces cleaned. “Here’s where the coachman sits, here’s where he draws his whips, eye winker, eye winker, nose dropper, nose dropper, chin chopper, chin chop er, er, er, er”

Bernice was a longtime member of St. John’s Catholic Church in Twin Lakes and attended Sunday mass at LaSalette since 1998. Sunday mass was very important to her. She had very strong faith in God as evidenced by her peaceful nature.

She is survived by three sons, Lynn (Steph), Tim (Marge), and Brad (LuAnn) Rittmer and two daughters, Karen (Dewey) Cates, and Jackie Rittmer. Eleven grandchildren, Ty Haley (Leah) , Tracy (Steve) Peters, Cari (Len) Anhold,  Don Cates (Julie), Vince Rittmer, Vanessa (Mike) Thompson, Tony Rittmer, Erica (Mike) Daniels, Teena (Brett) Schenning, Steve Rittmer (Kristen) and Dana Rittmer, and 18 great grandchildren, Jillian Gillmore, Haley Peters (Tommy), Trevor, and  Zoe Peters, Adam, A.J., and Amanda Anhold,  Elias, Hollis, Jack, Eva, Liam, Finn, and Michael Thompson, Noah Rittmer Daniels, Jacob Daniels, and Kaden and Emma Schenning.

Bernice was preceded in death by her daughter, Marsha Haley, a grandson, Lee Timothy Rittmer, two brothers, Joe and Hubert Kinley, and two sisters, Evelyn Estling, and Milly Hildebrand.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday September 9, 2017 at 11:00AM at St. John’s Catholic Church 701 N. Lake Ave.   Burial will be in St. John’s Cemetery.   The family will receive friends on Friday September 8, 2017 from 4:00PM until 8:00PM at the Haase-Lockwood & Associates Funeral Home 620 Legion Dr.  Twin Lakes, WI.  Memorials can be made to the LaSalette Fathers PO Box 777 Twin Lakes, WI. 53181 or the Sharing Center PO Box 172 Trevor, WI. 53179 in Bernice’s name.  Online condolences Haaselockwoodfhs.com  

We would like to thank Dr. Kristin Cassidy and Aurora at Home Hospice, including nurses Lisa P, Brianna, Lisa H, and Shirley, and home health aides, Becky, Tori, and others and to Chaplain Greg who gave Mom peace with his prayers.

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