Lorene Kay Ritland
June 03, 1950 - December 26, 2015
Obituary
LODI-Lorene K. Ritland (nee Osberg), age 65, passed away unexpectedly but peacefully, on Saturday, Dec. 26, 2015. She was born in Minneapolis, Minn., to Lois and Arthur Osberg, and shared a happy childhood on Bedford Avenue in Edina, Minn. with her sister Carole, brother Dave, and many friends. After graduating from Edina High School, she attended St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn., where she soon met Norm Ritland, her future husband. Both are graduates of St. Olaf. They married in 1975, and Lorene completed her MBA in Finance at UW-Madison in 1976. In 1980, Lorene and Norm settled in the Wisconsin countryside between Lodi and Dane where they designed and built their home, and raised their two cherished daughters, Andrea and Lisa. Lorene was a devoted wife and mother and the family convener. Every summer since 1988, she and Norm generously hosted the Ritland and Osberg extended families and many friends at Rainbo Lodge near Boulder Junction, Wisc. These visits were memorable to all ages for fishing, canoeing, birdwatching, and just relaxing together. She loved people and valued friendship and community service. The Girl Scout council formally recognized and awarded her for her leadership and commitment to scouting. Lorene was a travel, theater and garden enthusiast. She enjoyed visiting Madison's Olbrich Botanic gardens as well as caring for her own lovely gardens at home. Her family and friends enjoyed many productions at American Players Theater. She and Norm were fortunate to travel abroad together throughout their marriage; she was inclusive and welcomed new experiences. She is greatly missed and joyfully remembered by her husband, Norman; her daughters, Andrea Ritland, Lodi, and Lisa (Marty) Pool, Denver, CO; her sister, Carole (Bill) Wenerowicz, Milwaukee and her brother, David (Carolyn) Osberg, Wilmington, DE; and many wonderful relatives and friends. The family also wishes to acknowledge the respectful and kind care Lorene received at the Neuro-ICU of University Hospitals, Madison. Funeral services will be held at the LODI UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 130 Locust St, Lodi, at 11 a.m. Monday, January 4, 2016 with Pastor Marge Rice Myers officiating. Visitation will be held at the church from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. on Sunday, January 3, 2016 and also at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Monday. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests any donations in Lorene's memory be made to the Dane County chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (www.NAMIdanecounty.org), the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (www.nationalMSsociety.org), or a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson Lodi
Funeral & Cremation Care
157 S. Main Street
(608) 592-3201
Events
Visitation
Sun Jan 3, 2016 @ 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM CDT
Lodi United Methodist Church • 130 Locust St., Lodi, WI 53555
Visitation
Mon Jan 4, 2016 @ 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CDT
Lodi United Methodist Church • 130 Locust St., Lodi, WI 53555
Service
Mon Jan 4, 2016 @ 11:00 AM CDT
Lodi United Methodist Church • 130 Locust St., Lodi, WI 53555
Photos
Memories
AH
Anne Hoekstra
Other •
Greg and I share our condolences. We traveled with Lorene and Norm to China and Thailand about 4 years ago and were fortunate to connect the next fall for a UNI/U of W football game. We had such a lovely time and I feel so fortunate for having known Lorene and her family. I can only imagine how much she will be missed.
MG
Margie Goergen-Rood
Other •
Dear Norm, Andrea and Lisa,
This was devastating news to learn of Lorene's passing, especially at this season of the year. I will miss her terribly as we have been friends for close to 50 years. She was a beautiful, funny, caring best friend who will always be in my heart and memories. There is little that can be said that will turn the pain of the present moment to peace and comfort. But please know that God's embrace will hold all of us tightly in his love and that her memory will live with us all into eternity.
Deepest love, Margie Goergen-Rood
GT
Gail Tverberg
Other •
My husband (Ben Setzer) and I offer our condolences. Lorene was the organizer for several family gatherings in vacation areas in the US and Canada that involved both sides of Norman's family. Through these gatherings, we were able to connect up as adults with younger cousins we hadn't really known as we grew up. We also were able to meet some relatives from Norman's mother's side of the family--I am a cousin through Norman's father. Lorene was always an organized and gracious hostess, and found a way to make the gatherings fun for all.
LL
Leon and Jeri Lawrenz
Other •
To our dear neighbor, Lorene, you will be sorely missed in so many ways. The meetings you often convened for the Black Hill Neighborhood Association, our tongue in cheek excuse to have a little party, will not be the same without you. The cheering at the Packer and Badger games on the big screen in the shed will be missing one important voice. The NRF trips we shared won't be quite as interesting, the Mah Jongg, games not quite as exciting. When it was time to travel, you and Norm probably had been there, and you were so generous with travel books and excellent planning advice for our trips. We looked up at the stars last night and again thought of you and the night we sat in your back yard spying meteors streaking across the sky.
To Norm, Andrea and Lisa, we are so sorry for your great loss. Take comfort in the fact that Lorene brought us so much good friendship, good times and light. We will cherish her memory forever.
Jeri and Leon
KM
Karen mead
Other •
I had the privilege of getting to know Lorene when I was office manager at Custofoam Corporation from 1982-1984. she was always so kind to me and loved her family so much. she and Norm were such a neat couple. though so many years have past, I remember her well. my sympathy to Norm and the rest of the family. Karen Franke Mead, Mauston , WI