Rhoda Beth Ritter (Heath), age 82, passed away and will be dearly missed. She was born on January 2, 1940 in Wyandotte, Michigan to Margaret and Perry Heath, and is survived by husband Kent, son Daniel, daughter Kelly, and a grandson to-be. Rhoda was preceded in death by her brothers Perry, Michael, and Dean, her sister Annette, and her stepmother Ann Zimmerman.

Rhoda was a cheer leader and Homecoming Queen before graduating from Roosevelt High School in Lincoln Park, Michigan. She then moved to Chicago, began working for United Airlines, and met the love of her life and sole husband, Kent Ritter. In 1963, Rhoda joined Kent in Germany when he was stationed at Sembach Airbase, and they proceeded to marry and have daughter Kelly. During her stay in Germany, Rhoda worked in a bowling alley on base, and joined a little American play company which entertained American Airmen with their theatrical talents.

Rhoda and Kent returned to Chicago, then moved to DeWitt, Michigan where they gave birth to their son, Daniel. While living in DeWitt, Rhoda dabbled in painting, macramé, crocheting, tennis, and snow skiing. The family then moved to Portland, Michigan.

As a working mother, Rhoda attended Lansing Community College, earned a Bachelor of Liberal Arts at Western Michigan University, and a Master's in Education at Michigan State University. She had a wonderful career at Lansing Community College, working her way from a student job in the typing lab, to positions as Director of Registration and Director of Minority Affairs. Colleagues and students alike respected and appreciated Rhoda's kindness.

Rhoda was an active member of the Redeemer United Methodist Church of DeWitt and later Portland United Methodist Church. In the church, Rhoda organized a regular food collection that donated to seniors through the Portland Community Food Bank. She also sponsored a five year old girl in India name Anju, providing clothing, books, and schooling for Anju until her graduation from high school.

In 1997, Rhoda retired from Lansing Community College and she and Kent later bought a winter home in Velda Rose Gardens Countryside retirement community in Mesa, Arizona. There, they gained many new and dear friends, and loved spending family holidays with Rhoda's daughter, sister, and niece Beth Gray (Newberg) and her family. In Velda Rose, Rhoda created a community library, regularly contributed to the community newspaper, helped make care baskets for the elderly, and volunteered to call bingo. She also took up roller blading, hiking, piano playing, and doing crossword puzzles, and Kent and Rhoda traveled to London, Italy, Australia, Alaska, and China to name a few. Rhoda and Kent moved to their final home in Holland Home retirement community in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 2014. They would have celebrated their 60th anniversary in 2023.

Rhoda said many times to family that she had a very good life. She always put the needs of others ahead of her own and was the most patient and caring woman a family could hope to have. Rhoda will be deeply missed, and we are happy in the knowledge that there is a special place in heaven waiting for her.

A memorial service for Rhoda will be held in the Breton Terrace Centre Place on Tuesday, August 23 at 1:00pm. 2500 Breton Woods Dr. SE Grand Rapids, MI 49512.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Holland Home Foundation at https://HollandHome.org/donate/ or:

Holland Home Foundation
2100 Raybrook SE
Suite 300
Grand Rapids, MI 49546 Service Details. Online Memory & Photo Sharing Event Ongoing Online Event About this event In Loving Memory Of Rhoda Ritter January 2, 1940 - August 1, 2022 Look inside to read what others have shared Family and friends are coming together online to create a special keepsake. Every memory left on the online obituary will be automatically included in this book. View Tribute Book