Jennie Rittenbach, 93, Minot, died Monday, October 10, 2016, in a Minot nursing home.

Jennie was born December 9, 1922, in Crow Foot Township of Mountrail County, near Coulee, ND to Peter and Johanna (Flolo) Sande. She was raised and educated near Coulee before moving to Kenmare, where she worked for Dr. Halliday for room and board in order to complete her education. She graduated from Kenmare High School in 1940. She completed her education at Minot State Business College.

Jennie was employed at Truax-Traer Coal Company as a bookkeeper following college. She was united in marriage to Fred Rittenbach, Jr. on December 9, 1948, in Minot, where they made their home. They were married for 60 years. Jennie worked as a bookkeeper at Bridgeman Creamery for 30 plus years in Minot until her retirement in 1988.

She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, where she was active in the church circles and was a staple at the lefse folding table with her sister, Martha during the annual lutefisk dinner at the church. She volunteered in the Trinity Hospital Gift Shop for many years and was honored for serving 10,000 volunteer hours. She was also a member of the Trinity Auxiliary.

Jennie enjoyed doing crafts and reading. She also found time to work in her flower garden, quilting and do embroidery. She carried a sweet, caring demeanor and shared her gift of entertaining with family and many friends. Jennie has fond memories of growing up on the family farm with her siblings, playing softball, having snowball fights, and sharing in the farm chores. Later years would find these same siblings gathered around the table to play numerous games of pinochle. A drive in the countryside was one of her favorite activities. She will be deeply missed by all who shared in her precious life.

Her surviving family includes her children, Debbie (Rich) Herman, Cody, WY, Curt Rittenbach, Maple Grove, MN and Perry (Laurie) Rittenbach, Omaha, NE; grandchildren, Travis Rittenbach, Kelsey Bergfalk, April Behnke, Jane Fulton, and Rachel Lambert and Cody and Dillon Herman; great-grandchildren, Hailey and Carson Rittenbach, Jonathan Savoie, Raylan Fulton, Evelyn and Nora Peek, Ethan Behnke, Ronan Bergfalk and Clara Mae Herman; sisters, Martha Musch, Minot, ND and Viola Gronenthal, Tacoma, WA, very special niece Susan Roise and numerous other nieces, nephews and cousins.

Jennie was preceded in death by her parents, Husband, Fred Rittenbach Jr., an infant daughter, twin brothers, Peter and Paul Sande; sister, Carrie Smith and brothers, Arthur and Alfred Sande.

Funeral Service: 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 14, 2016, at Zion Lutheran Church, Minot.
Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot, ND
Visitation: Thursday, October 13, 2016 3:00- 6:00 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials are preferred to Zion Lutheran Church or Trinity Hospital Auxiliary.
Those wanting to sign the online memorial register or share memories and condolences are invited to use the expressions of sympathy section at www.thomasfamilyfuneralhome.com