It is with great sadness we advise that Ernie Ritthaler, of Yorkton, passed away November 12, 2013. Ernie Anton Ritthaler was born January 11, 1933. The 10th of 13 children born to Philip and Phyllis Ritthaler, Ernie started his education at the Doverley School District, graduating from the Kelliher High School. At 22, he started working for Air Transport as a Radio Operator in numerous places such as Regina, Churchill, Rankan Inlet, Baker Lake, NWT, and Winnipeg, till finally settling at the Yorkton Airport where he worked till he retired at age 60. Ernie met Loretta Hood and they were married in 1960. They have two chosen children, Robert in 1969, and Deborah in 1971. Ernie loved to fish, socialize, dine out, listen to country music, and many more things. His favorite song was Church in the Wildwood. Ernie was predeceased by his wife Loretta in March 2007, his father Philip in 1979, and his mother Phyllis in 1983, Brothers Wilfred and Martin, and sisters Carrie, Susan, and Emily. Ernie leaves to cherish his memory and to celebrate his life his two children, Robert (Alishia Nelson) and Deborah, both of Yorkton; his grandson Jeremy (Rebecca Westerhaug) and greatgranddaughter Jenifer; sisters Mary Benastick in Barrier, B.C. , Helen Hoskins in Walnut Grove, B.C., Elizabeth Ritthaler in Vancouver, B.C., Winnifred (Allan) Slemon, Violet Flindall of Langley, B.C., Brothers Philip of Port Moody, B.C., and Albert (Connie)of Mississauga, ON, very special friend, Phyllis Dercach of Canora, plus numerous nephews and nieces and friends.
