Don Ritsch
November 5, 1966 ~ February 17, 2017
We lost our brother, Don Ritsch, 50, of Cedar Rapids, to lung cancer Friday, February 17, 2017, at his home with Bob by his side. Celebration of Life: at a later date. Arrangements by Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids.
Our family includes his son, whom Don loved dearly, Michael 'Mike' Ritsch; parents Barbara (Pete) Heacox and Mike Ritsch; us (his brothers) Bob (Jodi) and Bill Ritsch; former wife, Marcy Ritsch, who he maintained a friendship with; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Preceding him in death were our grandparents.
The oldest of the three of us, Donald Michael Ritsch was born (with a wild hair) November 5, 1966, in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, to Mike and Barbara (Willison) Ritsch. He attended Memorial High School, graduating in 1985, and then took an 'early retirement' to become a ski bum in Colorado, joking 'I'll have to work the rest of my life' (which he did). A complicated guy, he retired, married, had a son, and then graduated college. One of the best days of his life was when his son, Mike, was born. We know he was extremely proud of his son, and enjoyed watching Mike's school plays the weekend before the gun/deer opener in Wisconsin. Don graduated from the University of Wisconsin Stout with a degree in Packaging Engineering in 2004. Most recently, he worked for Frontier Co-op, where he liked and respected his co-workers.
Don packed more living into 50 years than anyone we've ever known. He loved music'especially John Prine, was incredibly thoughtful, a great gift giver, and always enjoyed sharing others' successes. Don held higher standards than most, noted by the list of establishments he refused for lack of serving the champagne of beers.
As his brothers, we can say that he could be short and highly opinionated, but beneath it all he was a softy with a huge heart. He was the guy that would give you the shirt off his back (and expect you to reciprocate), and at the drop of a pin, he was only a short car ride away (maybe add an hour for a nap if over 18 hours).
Don, we hope you have a great view of and are standing by peaceful waters. Send a note if the fish are biting, we love and miss you. Love, Bob and Bill.
We have established a memorial fund in Don's name for our nephew.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Photo Gallery
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
One of the funnier people you could ever meet. Donny and his buddies were always good for some hilarious moments in high school. He was a free spirit and certainly a good guy to be around. He will be sorely missed. My condolences to the family.
Don was a one of a kind. I remember his first day at Frontier Coop. He told me had to go buy some jeans and tennis shoes, because all he had was khakis and dress shoes. He was a lot of fun, and always had a great story. I cant tell you how much it means to me that I was able to talk him and to tell him good bye yesterday. I’m so glad we were friends. I miss you already.
I feel so happy to have known and worked with Don at Frontier. He truly had a heart of gold. I can’t believe he’s gone and I will so miss hearing his stories and working with him.
Truly a man with a heart of gold! I feel so privileged to have worked with such a caring, generous and hilarious man. I’m going to miss his many, many, stories. Heaven gained one heck of an angel. Fly high Donny Boy!
Ashley Murty
So thankful that he was a part of my life. His generosity of spirit was so apparent.. Literally a “shirt off my back” kind of guy. Rest in peace Don, I’m blessed to have known you.
I am truly going to miss this soul. I was lucky enough to get to work with Don at Frontier. He may be one of the most generous people I have ever met. He had THE best stories and could always make me laugh., often to tears. Whether it was stories of Deer Camp, his hatred of Wal-mart, his misadventures in love, his Miller High Life collection, or his love of the packers….he just made me smile. He was so proud of his son Mike, and loved to tell us about his most recent play or his hard work ethic. He just sat at my desk on Thursday and spoke about his trip to New York with Mikey and his niece. You could tell how happy he was to have had that experience with them. I can’t believe he’s really gone. Our workplace will definitely not be the same without him.
Donny Boy even though you were a Badgers and Packers fan, you were a hell of a guy. I will be toasting a Miller High Life to you. Cheers and God Bless!
Thanks for sharing Melissa. Don shared a few stories of y’all’s game day adventures.
When Don first started working at Frontier he thought we were all crazy (he’s probably right). And we sure ate a lot of really bad tasting sandwiches! But he became part of our family. He made us laugh. He humbled us. He reminded us to enjoy life, and remember what was truly important. The stories he told and the stories we have of Don, oh and we have a few, will live on with each of us.
I’ll miss you Don.
With a heavy heart, one of your work wives.
Thanks Amy. If you can share publicly, please share any stories you can. It’s really nice to learn more about Don’s time in CR.
He was my drinking buddy. We’d see each other practically every day after work for a “couple of cold ones”. We both had taste for Miller High Life. A great conversationalist, very opinionated ( we had basically the same ones, so it was o.k.), he was an all around good guy, and I will miss him. Rich Hillyer
Thanks Rich. Donny somewhat turned me onto High Life as well, mostly cause it’s always the cheapest beer at the bar.
Don truly was a softy who would do anything for the people he loved as well as people he had just met. He also could make us laugh harder than anyone I’ve every worked with! I’m thankful for the short while I knew Don and will remember what he taught me about being good to people for the rest of my life. Katie Shatzer Staab
Hiya Katie. Thanks for sharing. So good to hear from many of you in CR.
So I’m having a beer after work and need to make some room for a little more. In the urinal I notice a dime. I finish and as I’m walking out Don is walking in. A few minutes later he comes up to me, flips a dime up on the bar, and in that one of a kind gravely voice he says “here, I think you dropped this”…we laughed for 20 minutes.. This guy was a real gem. I spoke to him briefly Friday evening and told him that he was loved by more than just his family. He whispered back “I feel that”
RIP buddy…GO PACK
That’s a great story Greg! Thanks for sharing. -billy
Growing up across the street from the Ritsch boys was an adventure. Donny was so funny and always up for playing outside. He walked home with me from the skating rink many times. He helped make Nixon Avenue a very fun and exciting place to be a kid. It sounds like he was just as fun as an adult. I have thought of him over the years, always fondly. My condolences to you all.
One night Don and I are headed to our cars and he says ” you know that song you sing Angel From Montgomery, well John Prine sings it to. My sister in law gave me tickets to his show for my birthday. Why don’t you come along, he’s my favorite “. I don’t know who put on the better show that night, John or Don. What I do know is I got to spend an evening listening to great music with an incredible friend. In Cedar Rapids, our angel was from Wisconsin!
Cousin Donny is how I know him, the limited times our paths crossed was a colorful reminder that the spirit and energy of the Ritsch blood line is passionate, loving and conveys what is sooo special about Eau Claire, Wisconsin. ” Someone Like You ” ~ Van Morrison ~ Fly with the Angels Cousin Donny – Michael Ritsch ~ Peace
Don and I worked together for 5 years at Michael Foods Inc. . You could always count on Don giveing his all in all he did. He was always ready to give a hand as well as to make things better. We spent many times fishing the area lakes around Bell Plain, Mankato and St. Peter . We also had a few of those Miller High Lifes. Mike and Marcy my thought and prayers go out to you both for your loss.
Jason Mathews
I was deeply saddened by hearing of Don’s passing. Kind…the true and honest kinda kind. Heart of gold. I only knew him a few short years. It breaks my heart I didn’t get to say goodbye. What stuck out the most was when my significant other passed away, he came to pay his respects after working a long day. He had to drive out of his way with little time to make sure I was “okay”. I’ll never forget that ♡. Don…goodbye my friend. Go rest high on that mountain. Fly high
I’m sorry to hear Don passed. I have quite a few fond memories and a bundle of laughable moments with Don. The guy just enjoyed having a good time and making sure those around him had fun as well! Gonna miss our “deep thoughts” conversations (especially the ones when we were in Vegas lol). Fly high my friend!
I met Don through the local bar (O’Malley’s) Don had a wonderful heart! Biggest one I’ve ever known. He would literally give anyone the shirt off their back if they needed one. I’ve seen him give money to those that didn’t have a dime to their name. He would fill their car up with gas, find them a job, do whatever they needed to get them back on their feet. As a Bears fan him and I used to go back and forth but he was passionate about his team so I could never give him to much of a hard time! He loved his son Michael! He used to tell me all about him and the plays he was in, he was very proud of him and the man he’s becoming! My sincerest condolences to his family and all that have had the pleasure of coming in contact with Don! He will be greatly missed and we will never forget him!
Don, we cherish so many memories we shared over the years, will miss you, be at peace.
Best son-in-law ever! Love you always, Pat & Patty Tierney
Great memories of friendship, fishing and yes, a lot of Tom foolery! Even some Hi Life’s. I met Don in 1985 at Bradley Hall in Madison. We became fast friends and pledged OX Fraternity together. Through moves, job changes, marriage and kids, we remained best of friends. We even started a fishing tip over father’s day with our Dads and sons. Don, there is no good bye, only see you later, especially at Fireside!