Rosemarie L. Ritchey

Mrs. Rosemarie Luise Ritchey, daughter of the late Christian and Margot Ott, was born on May 1, 1935 in Wiesbaden, Germany and passed away on Saturday, March 2, 2019. Rosemarie, formerly of Universal City, Texas has most recently resided at Kirkwood Manor Nursing Home in New Braunfels. On August 30, 1955 Rosemarie married the love of her life, Harold W. Ritchey and immigrated to the United States. She was a devoted wife and loving mother to her four children always. Upon her husband’s sudden passing in January of 1973 Rosemarie returned to school. In August of 1982 she graduated from Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University) with a Bachelor of Science Degree (Cum Laude) in All Level Art Education. Rosemarie received several Department of Art Awards for Distinguished Achievement while in school and was inducted into the Golden Key National Honor Society and the Alpha Chi Honor Society. Rosemarie began her teaching career in 1982 in Devine, Texas and continued teaching at Frazier Elementary in New Braunfels, Texas in 1983. While at Frazier Elementary Rosemarie was named teacher of the Month for February 1992 as well as a Mentor Teacher in 1996-1997. She would say that perhaps her greatest achievement while at Frazier Elementary was the design and supervision of the creation of a 12 foot by 15 foot sesquicentennial quilt. The quilt was handcrafted by her third, fourth and fifth grade Art students and was displayed in the rotunda of the Texas State Capitol. Rosemarie retired from teaching in May of 2000 after many years of loving, teaching and inspiring children from New Braunfels and the surrounding area. Rosemarie was a gifted artist, avid reader, gardener and crafter. She enjoyed needlework and was a member of the New Braunfels Area Quilt Guild. She loved watching the birds outside her kitchen window and caring for her sweet cat, Milo. A funeral service is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on Monday, March 25, 2019 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 777 West San Antonio Street, New Braunfels, Texas. A private interment will follow at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery on March 26, 2019. Pastor Mark Marley of Word Fellowship Church will officiate both services. Rosemarie is preceded in death by her husband and her parents as well as her sister, Hannelore Garms and brother, Klaus Ott. Rosemarie is survived by her daughter Renate Claybourn and her husband Kendal; son, Tracy Ritchey; son, Timothy Ritchey and his wife Sylvia; daughter, Deirdra Marley and her husband Mark; six grandchildren, Lauren Costley, Joshua Yanity, Kyleigh Halsey, Jeremy Ritchey, Mackenzie Day and Zachary Ritchey; great-grandchildren, Camryn, Jordan, Donavan and Ava; her brother, Karl Heinz Ott and many nieces and nephews. Rosemarie was loved by many and will be remembered by all who met her. If desired, please make memorial contributions in Rosemarie’s name to Hope Hospice of New Braunfels or Shadow Cats of Austin.