Janet Fay Ritcha, 82, of Hutchinson, passed away January 4, 2020, at her home. She was born April 11, 1937, in Hutchinson, to Wilbur and Cecyle (Bennet) McGonigle.
Janet was a 1955 graduate of Reno County Community High School and attended Hutchinson Community College for one year. She was a homemaker, school bus driver, and school secretary. Janet was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, Hutchinson, Daughters of the American Revolution, and Daughters of Union Veterans. She was the ultimate caretaker of information, including family genealogy, Rice County history, and Reno County Community High School, Nickerson. Janet was also known for the thousands of hours of video that she had taken. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.
On September 14, 1956, she married Billy Gene Ritcha in Nickerson. They shared over 63 years of marriage.
Janet is survived by: husband, Bill Ritcha of the home; children, Tamise (Kerry) Schwan of Salina, and Tod (Cindy) Ritcha of Hutchinson; grandsons, Jeffrey (Shala) Ritcha, Brandon (Madison) Ritcha, and Matthew (Becky) Schwan; granddaughters, Rene (Aaron) Duell, andMichelle (Jason) Hadley; great-grandchildren, Brooklynn, Manhattan, Waylon, Dayton, Malia, Gunner, Aiden, Reagan, Alister, Holly, and Lydia;and sister, Janice Kay Norquist, Grand Junction, CO.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Beth Boeka.
Janet’s earthly life will be celebrated at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, January 9, 2020, at Elliott Mortuary, with The Reverend Aaron Duell officiating. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery, Hutchinson. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Elliott Mortuary.
Memorials are suggested to Alzheimer’s Association, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.