Arlene F. Ritze

Arlene F. Ritze, 81, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died Tuesday, January 14, 2025. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, January 20, 2025, at Word of God Lutheran Church for the Deaf, 1515 29th Street NE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, with a visitation one hour prior. Burial: Center Point Cemetery, Center Point, Iowa. Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Center Point is assisting the family. 

Arlene was born on November 25, 1943, in Vinton, Iowa, to Laurence and Elnora (Burrell) Ritze. She graduated from the Iowa State School for the Deaf in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and went on to dedicate 38 years of service to St. Luke’s Hospital, working first in laundry and later in housekeeping. A proud and active member of the Deaf community, Arlene volunteered regularly and enjoyed attending community meetings at Donutland. She was a passionate fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Chicago Cubs. In her free time, Arlene loved crocheting and cherishing moments spent with her family and friends. Known for her strong sense of independence, Arlene was also a devoted member of Word of God Lutheran Church for the Deaf, where she often lent a hand by helping to clean the church.

Survivors include her siblings, Rita Carman of Seattle, Washington, Susan Hearn of Urbana, Iowa, and Larry Ritze of Hiawatha, Iowa; nieces and nephews, Sherry Surrett, Ken Hearn, Dennis Hearn, David Carman, Danielle Kunselman, Nick Ritze, Luke Ritze, Felan Link, and Brooke Gardner; many great-nieces and great-nephews; and brother-in-law, Kenneth Scott, Jr. of Cedar Rapids.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Laurence and Elnora Ritze; a brother in infancy; sister, Bonnie Scott; niece, Stacey Scott; and brother-in-law, Kenneth Hearn.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the family to establish a memorial fund in Arlene’s honor.