In loving memory
Edith Rae Ritter Thompson
April 17, 1921 - October 10, 2009
Salem – Edith went to party with Jesus on Saturday night, October 10. She suffered a stroke Wednesday. She was eighty-eight years old.
She was born in Cohasset, Minnesota to Charles and Jessie Dowell, the fifth of five children. She went on to have her own “five beautiful children” with her husband Charles Ritter.
During her lifetime, she was the president of the Women’s Group of the Volunteer Fire Department in Homecroft, Minnesota while her children were young. She and Charles moved their family to Portland, Oregon in 1952. Charles died in 1962, and she married Robert Thompson in 1965. She then moved to Salem where she became the first woman car salesperson in the city of Salem. She was a phenomenal saleswoman, and also sold shoes and real estate. She was extremely generous and never liked to see anyone alone. She was proud of the fact that her children all loved each other and loved her too. She loved spending time with family and friends.
Edith was preceded in death by two sisters and a brother, both husbands; Charles Ritter and Robert Thompson, her son David Ritter, and her grandson Lance Ritter.
She leaves behind her sister Blanche, her two daughters; Brenda Kaufman (Gene) and Bonni Pokorny (Dan), and two of her three sons; Charles Ritter (Terri) and Mark Thomas (Maureen). She also leaves eight grandchildren, many great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
A private service will be held for the family at Willamette National Cemetery on Friday. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be sent to The Union Gospel Mission.
Arrangements by Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service.
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