COTTAGE GROVE - Mark Crandall Ricter, age 72, of Cottage Grove, Wis., passed away at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital on Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. He was born in Rochester, Minn., on Sept. 11, 1951, to Esther and Conrad Ricter. He married Joan Trumbull on June 23, 1973.

Mark graduated from Mount Mercy College in May of 1975 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. He went on to work for many years at the VA Hospital in Madison, Wis. After his graduation in 1975, Mark and Joan bought their farmhouse in Cottage Grove, Wis., and began building their life together.

Mark was the very loving father of six kids and the grandfather to nine. He loved his family, his friends, and his community. While working at the VA Hospital and raising his children, Mark was very busy taking care of farm animals, refereeing and coaching soccer games, starting the Cottage Grove basketball league, taking camping trips, tackling projects around the farm, and helping out anyone who needed it.

Mark loved the simple life, the Wisconsin winters, playing the piano, making Swedish pancakes, watching his children grow, laughing with his wife, and reading his Bible. He was a devoted, spiritual man who navigated life with humility and compassion. Mark was not a man of many words, but he shared so much wisdom in the words he spoke. He loved to laugh and to remind people that life is full of ups and downs, and in the hard times, a better day is waiting right around the corner.

Mark was preceded in death by his parents, Conrad and Esther (Crandall) Ricter. He is survived by his wife, Joan Ricter; his children, Emily Ricter, Ben Ricter, Megan (Stuart) Manning, Melissa (Anton) Kushnaryov, Jessica (Celvor Narain) Ricter and Kevin Ricter; his brother, Dean (Jeanette) Ricter; and his grandchildren, Lauren Manning, Nolan Manning, Mia Manning, Ali Manning, Toren Kushnaryov, Miela Kushnaryov, Karoh Kushnaryov, Nova Kushnaryov, and Xena Narain.

A visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, on Monday, Feb. 5, 2024, beginning at 10 a.m. with a service following at 12 noon. A gathering for family and friends will be held at DOUBLE DAYS, 4586 Baxter Road, Cottage Grove, at 1:30 p.m. on Monday.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420

Mark Crandall Ricter

September 11, 1951 - January 26, 2024

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