Frederick Ritsema

Fred Ritsema passed into the loving hands of Jesus Christ on May 29, 2008. Born in Wisconsin on July 30, 1921, he moved with his parents to Denver in 1924. He joined his father's cement business as a young man. He married Esther Vanden Hoek in 1943
and proudly served America in the Army Air Corps in the Philippines. Fred and Esther
were blessed by the birth of four children. Fred served as a deacon and elder at 2nd
Christian Reformed Church and served on the Denver Christian School Board. Diabetes forced him to leave the cement business and he pursued a second career in real estate until his retirement. Fred had a fine sense of humor and enjoyed reading.

Fred is survived by his siblings: Sadie Keesen, Gary (Alene) Ritsema, Bertie Reynolds and his children: Bill (Mardy) Ritsema, Janet (Jim) Sinnema, Lynn (John)
Gezon and Gary (Kathy) Ritsema, nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his parents William and Mary Ritsema, his sister Betty, and his brothers-in-law Bill Swierenga, George Keesen and Jim Reynolds and his beloved wife,
Esther. He is also survived by members of Esther's family: Wilma Broekstra, Della Vanden Hoek, and Lester (Ethel) Vanden Hoek. Fred's nephews and nieces were a special blessing and help to him as he aged.

A memorial service for Fred will be held at the Christian Living Center, 2479 South Clermont St., Denver, CO on Monday, June 2, 2008, at 7:00 p.m.

Memorial gifts can be given to the Christian Living Communities.