Gaylen H. Ritchie
May 2, 1925 — October 20, 2013
Gaylen H. (Buck) Ritchie Jr., 88, of Cedar Rapids, died Sunday, October 20, 2013, in Northbrook Care Facility of natural causes. Graveside services: 10:00 a.m. Saturday, October 26, 2013, at Linwood Cemetery, Cedar Rapids. Arrangements with Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids.
Survivors include his son, Rick (Meri) Ritchie of Fort Thomas, Ky., daughter Scotta Jones (Mark Dukes) of Cedar Rapids, granddaughter Christie (Brandon) Nesteby, grandsons Jamie (Erin), Jesse and Thomas Ritchie, and Shawn Lowry; step grandchildren Matt Jones, Kelly (Greg) Scheffert and Barb Jones, and great grandchildren Taylor and Brystol Nesteby, Kourtney and Payton Jones, and Blakelee, Gavin and Gage Scheffert.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Loretta, in 2006, his parents Gaylen and Jessie (Dansdill) Ritchie Sr., and his sister, Virginia (Earl) Sandstrom.
Gaylen was born May 2, 1925 in North English. He was a graduate of McKinley High School in Cedar Rapids. He was a seaman first class in the United States Coast Guard, serving in the North Atlantic during World War II. Gaylen and Loretta were married March 5, 1949.
Gaylen retired from Link Belt Speeder/FMC after 43 years of employment. He was proud to have never missed a day of work.
Gaylen led a full life and loved his family and friends immensely. He was a proud veteran who worked hard for his family, friends and employer. He and his family spent many years at Jolly Roger campground and boating on “The Good Times.’’ Gaylen and his family took a vacation annually, traveling all over the United States and visiting national parks and monuments. He and Loretta wintered for many years in Apache Junction, Arizona. He was a lifelong Iowa Hawkeye fan and a blood donor.
In 2010, Gaylen and Scotta made a very memorable trip to Washington, D.C., as part of the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight.
Gaylen was a member of the Elks Lodge, VFW, American Legion, Church of the Brethren and Hus Presbyterian Church.
The family wishes to thank many people involved in Gaylen’s care, including Hospice of Mercy, Northbrook Care Facility staff, Mercy Hospital, the VA Hospital, Dr. Heidi Dahlem and her staff, and all the volunteers of organizations who came in contact with Gaylen.
Memorials may be made to Eastern Iowa Honor Flight.
Survivors include his son, Rick (Meri) Ritchie of Fort Thomas, Ky., daughter Scotta Jones (Mark Dukes) of Cedar Rapids, granddaughter Christie (Brandon) Nesteby, grandsons Jamie (Erin), Jesse and Thomas Ritchie, and Shawn Lowry; step grandchildren Matt Jones, Kelly (Greg) Scheffert and Barb Jones, and great grandchildren Taylor and Brystol Nesteby, Kourtney and Payton Jones, and Blakelee, Gavin and Gage Scheffert.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Loretta, in 2006, his parents Gaylen and Jessie (Dansdill) Ritchie Sr., and his sister, Virginia (Earl) Sandstrom.
Gaylen was born May 2, 1925 in North English. He was a graduate of McKinley High School in Cedar Rapids. He was a seaman first class in the United States Coast Guard, serving in the North Atlantic during World War II. Gaylen and Loretta were married March 5, 1949.
Gaylen retired from Link Belt Speeder/FMC after 43 years of employment. He was proud to have never missed a day of work.
Gaylen led a full life and loved his family and friends immensely. He was a proud veteran who worked hard for his family, friends and employer. He and his family spent many years at Jolly Roger campground and boating on “The Good Times.’’ Gaylen and his family took a vacation annually, traveling all over the United States and visiting national parks and monuments. He and Loretta wintered for many years in Apache Junction, Arizona. He was a lifelong Iowa Hawkeye fan and a blood donor.
In 2010, Gaylen and Scotta made a very memorable trip to Washington, D.C., as part of the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight.
Gaylen was a member of the Elks Lodge, VFW, American Legion, Church of the Brethren and Hus Presbyterian Church.
The family wishes to thank many people involved in Gaylen’s care, including Hospice of Mercy, Northbrook Care Facility staff, Mercy Hospital, the VA Hospital, Dr. Heidi Dahlem and her staff, and all the volunteers of organizations who came in contact with Gaylen.
Memorials may be made to Eastern Iowa Honor Flight.
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