Helen Ruth Ritz

OTTUMWA: Helen Ruth Ritz, 79, of Ottumwa, Iowa and former Bloomfield, Iowa resident died March 6, 2008 at the Ottumwa Good Samaritan Center.  She was born April 13, 1928 in Bloomfield, Iowa to Fernando and Dorothy Van Horn Tharp.  She married Keith Ritz April 12, 1946 in Bloomfield.  He preceded her in death August 14, 1996.  She was owner/operator of Pickwick Sundries in Ottumwa.

She is survived by 3 sons, Dale and Garold Ritz of Ottumwa, and Richard Ritz of Crocker, Missouri; 9 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; 2 sisters, Irene Hougland of Bloomfield and Janet Myer of Iberia, Missouri; and 2 brothers, Jerry Tharp of Bloomfield, and Richard Tharp of Ottumwa.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; 2 sisters, Mary Pickens and Hazel Tharp; and 2 brothers, Donald and Charles Tharp.