Barbara Ritter

Barbara J. Ritter, age 87 of Appleton, passed away Thursday, May 14, 2026. She was born in Green Bay on November 13, 1938 to the late Ira and Alice Des Chane and was married to James Ritter on September 3, 1960. Together they had two children, and resided in West Bend for 30 years until they relocated to Appleton.

Barbara was a proud graduate of St. Joseph’s Academy and attended Wisconsin School of Business, where she met James.

Barbara is survived by her children: Mary (Mark) Loper, Ellison Bay, WI; and David (Julie) Ritter, New Richmond, WI; grandchildren: Heidi (Troy) Nielsen; Madeline (John) Gagliardi; and James Ritter; six great-grandchildren; and by a special friend, Muang Win. She was preceded in death by her husband, James; and a grandson, Robert “Bobby” Ritter.

A Mass of Christan Burial will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 107 N Olk St, Hortonville. A visitation will be held at church from 10:00 A.M. until the hour of mass. Barbara will be laid to rest alongside James at Allouez Cemetery in Green Bay.

Barbara’s family would like to extend a warm thank you to the staff at Touchmark for their care over the years, and to the nurses and social workers of Compassus Hospice for their compassion.