Gale Ritter

Leland "Gale" Ritter, age 92, of Iola, Kansas, passed away April 2, 2024, peacefully at home on the family farm. Gale was born September 16, 1931, in Dentonia, Kansas, to John F. Ritter and Mary (McCracken) Ritter.

Gale graduated in 1949 from Esbon High School, Esbon, Kansas. He served in the United States Army from 1951 to 1954 during the Korean War, serving mostly in Japan.

Gale and Mary Ann Muck were married September 4, 1955, in Esbon, Kansas. They lived in Manhattan, Kansas while Gale attended and graduated from Kansas State University. In 1958, they moved to Iola, Kansas, and began a lifetime of farming.

Gale was president of the Allen County Fair Board for five years, was community leader of the Square B 4-H Club for five years, and superintendent of the Allen County Fair sheep barn for fifteen years. He was a longtime Farm Bureau board member, serving one year as president. He was in charge of the Farm Bureau Pedal Pull at the Allen County Fair for many years. Gale was on the Soil Conservation District board and Allen County Extension Council.

Gale was preceded in death by his parents; and sisters, Ruby, Ila, Zelma, and Wilda.

Gale is survived by his wife, Mary Ann; daughters, Vicky, Roeland Park, Kansas, Becky (Paul) Meiwes, Iola, Kansas; grandson, Levi Meiwes; granddaughter, Abigail Meiwes; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, April 8, 2024, in the chapel at Feuerborn Family Funeral Service, 1883 US Highway 54, Iola, Kansas. A funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, April 9, 2024, in the chapel at Feuerborn Family Funeral Service. Burial will follow in the Gas Cemetery, Gas, Kansas.

Memorials are suggested to the LaHarpe VFW or Wings of Warriors, and may be left with Feuerborn Family Funeral Service.

Condolences for the family may be left at www.feuerbornfuneral.com.