RITTER, Mary Jane

Newspaper Unknown Wednesday, February 15, 1911 (From Saturday's Daily) PIONEER WOMAN CALLED TO HER REWARD Mrs. Jacob Ritter Expires Suddenly at Home In Kirkland Dies From Heart Disease While Preparing to Eat Supper One of the most estimable woman of the pioneer colony of this county. Mrs. Mary Jane Ritter has ended life's journey, passing away suddenly at her home in Kirkland Valley, Thursday evening. Heart disease was the fatal affliction, and the end came without the least warning. She was preparing to eat supper, and while surrounded by many relatives, swooned, and in a few moments was a corpse. The shock was a sad one to her relatives, while by many her death will be sadly deplored. She was the wife of Jacob Ritter, one of the pioneers of the county, and ever since the day both arrived in this section, over thirty-five years ago, they have never been separated, even for a single day. Her life was devoted to her husband and children, and with a noble purpose she willingly shared in the privations of early days. The old rock house as the Date Creek mesa, many miles from any habitation, was her home for several years, which will serve to give a faint idea of her character and her devotion to a mother’s duty. Pioneer residents especially, will learn with sincere sorrow of this noble woman's death, removing, as it does, one of the heroic women of the era that is fast passing into memory. She was born in Illinois and was 69 years old. She was married in Texas, and from that state, accompanied her husband to Arizona, never leaving since the day she arrived. The remains were brought from Kirkland yesterday, and will be laid away in this city. Besides her husband she is survived by four sons, Edward, William, Wayne and Henry Ritter, who arrived yesterday, and will remain until the day of the funeral. The body is being prepared for interment at Lester Ruffner's undertaking parlors. Funeral arrangements will be announced later.