Benjamine Joseph Rittgers, 4/3/1933-11/21/2024, was born in Humbolt, IA the only child of Horace B & Mildred (Turner) Rittgers.
After graduating from Rolfe High school in 1950 he enlisted in the Army Reserves and then was drafted into the army. He served as a field wireman in Germany & received an Army of Occupation Medal and National Defense Service Medal.
Following his military service, with his father’s help, Ben oversaw farming the family land. In the mid-1950s, when his parents moved into West Bend, “Benny” took over the farming.
Those were the days of big band music & swinging dance halls. Ben would dance the weekend nights away becoming highly skilled at two-step, waltz, polka & others. The love of his life was met at the Larimar dance hall in Ft Dodge, IA. He married Jo Ann Cooper in Feb 1957 and had three children. Those dance moves allowed him to create many precious memories dancing with his daughters and were so ingrained in his body that in his later days he could dance, even when he struggled to walk.
His passion was farming, and it suited him well. There are many beloved memories of his daughters watching their dad work the fields on his old International Harvester M tractor.
Ben was a lover of life in so many ways, and particularly had a passion for education. He attended the University of Iowa in the late 60s majoring in pre-law. While in Iowa City he increased his real estate portfolio by buying condemned buildings, rehabbing them, and turning them into apartment buildings That resulted in spending many years commuting between Iowa City and the farms in NW Iowa. Upon “retirement” the property in Iowa City was traded for farmland which was rented out. For the remaining years his daily ritual was driving around his properties ensuring his renters’ efforts were meeting his standards.
Always making a lasting impression with his stories, jokes, and contagious, booming laughter, Ben was endeared by many. His compassion overflowed, often embracing those needing assistance, with friendship and financial support. He is now experiencing his ultimate bliss, dancing and laughing in the heavens.
Ben leaves behind, four daughters; Mary Curtis (David-deceased), Minyon Rittgers-Easton (Ron), Rochel Rittgers, Dana Ries (Tom), eight grandchildren; Collin Curtis, Erin Plummer (James), Ariel Palmer (David), Garett Easton (Hannah), Mikaela Robison (Chris), Tom Ries, Jr (Suzanne), Kate Beausoleil (Logan), John Ries, and six great grandchildren; Everly Plummer, Alayna Easton, Berkley and Watson Robison, and Cash and Vail Beausoleil, and many loyal friends and extended family members. He was predeceased by his parents Horace and Mildred.
Services will be held Saturday, November 30, 2024 at the Lentz Funeral Home, 104 1st Ave SW, West Bend, IA. Visitation-10:00am. Celebration of Life-11:30pm. Burial will take place in the West Bend Cemetery. Please consider donating to Bright Focus Foundation, Alzheimer’s Disease Research.
