Marimartha Ritter

Graveside services for Marimartha Ritter, 90, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 1:00 p.m., Sunday, April 11, 2021 at Oak Lawn Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. 

Mrs. Ritter passed away at 3:04 p.m., Wednesday, March 31, 2021, at Cedarhurst of West Plains. 

She was born January 9, 1931, at West Plains, Missouri, to Albert Paul Roper and Pauline Hope Lucas Roper.  On September 8, 1951, she was married at West Plains, Missouri to James F. Ritter, who preceded her in death on October 13, 2003.  Marimartha graduated from West Plains High School with the Class of 1948 and received her master’s degree in secondary education at Southwest Missouri State University, now known as Missouri State University.  Before her retirement she was a teacher at West Plains High School.  She was a member of P.E.O. Chapter MC and a volunteer at Ozarks Medical Center.  Mrs. Ritter was a member of First United Methodist Church where she served as song leader and in the women’s group. 

She is survived by three children,  Paula England and husband, Gregg, Koshkonong, Missouri, Bruce Ritter and wife, Sharon, East Setauket, New York and Ruthi Holmes and husband, Pat, Koshkonong, Missouri; eight grandchildren, Anne  Noblin, Lucas England, Zoe Ritter, Sophie Ritter, John Ritter, Thera Lashley, Josh Holmes and Brenna Elliott; eight great-grandchildren; one sister, Beverly Rutter and husband, Andrew, Tucson, Arizona; one sister-in-law, Patricia Card and husband, Gene, Grove, Oklahoma; and several nieces and nephews. 

Her parents, husband and one great-granddaughter, Emilia England, preceded her in death. 

Memorial contributions may be made to West Plains Public Library or First United Methodist Pastor’s Discretionary Fund and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.