Jeanne A. Rittenhouse

CASSVILLE – Jeanne Ann Rittenhouse, age 88, of Cassville, passed away on Sunday September 1, 2024, comfortably at her home surrounded by her family. She was born on June 5, 1936, in Cassville, the daughter of Dr. SC Bernhardt and Stella (Scheibl) Bernhardt. Jeanne graduated Salutatorian from Cassville High School in 1954. She furthered her education at Mercy School of Nursing, graduating in 1957. Her nursing career took her to North Carolina where she worked at Rex Hospital for five years before returning to Wisconsin and working at the Lancaster Hospital. Jeanne retired from Destrehan Medical Clinic in Louisiana in July of 1998, returning to Cassville. On June 18, 1975, she was united in marriage to the love of her life, Ronald R. “Ron” Rittenhouse. Jeanne was a loving nurse and friend. She made and retained friendships wherever she went, from childhood friends to friends and neighbors in the communities where she worked and lived. Jeanne was a constant in everyone’s life. She was the matriarch of not only her immediate family, but her extended family, as well. Jeanne had a passion for the color blue, lighthouses, hot air balloons, raspberries, beaches, and spending precious time with her family and friends. 

Survivors include her children: Gary Holt and Ann (John) Holt-Minard; five grandchildren: Lisa Holt, Morgan Minard, Brandon Holt, Avery Minard, and Luke Minard; her sister, Nancy L. Safe; nieces: Mary (Paul) Umbeck, Laurie (Mark) Engberg, Susan (Mark Palmer) Bernhardt, and Amy (Christopher) King; and her cousin, Ann Taguchi.

In addition to her parents, Jeanne was preceded in death by her husband of 35 years, Ronald Rittenhouse in 2010; her sister, Marjorie (Herb) Ackerman, her brother, William “Bill” (Jane) Bernhardt; and her brother-in-law, Kenneth C. Safe.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, September 5, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at St. Charles Catholic Church in Cassville with Father Sudhakar Devarapu officiating. Private family burial will be in St. Charles Cemetery, Cassville. Family and friends may visit on Thursday from 11:00 a.m. until the time of services at the church. Food and fellowship will be at J&J’s Sandbar following the services. In lieu of plants and flowers, memorials may be given in memory of Jeanne to the Ray Eckstein Memorial Library or the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Martin Schwartz Funeral Home & Crematory in Cassville is assisting the family.