Elaine J. Moline Ritchie, 76, Rice

July 8, 1939 - April 30, 2016

Elaine J. Moline Ritchie, age 76, Rice, MN died Saturday, April 30th, 2016 from leukemia at her home.

Funeral services will be Thursday, May 5th, 2016 at 11:00 AM at St. Paul's Catholic Church, St. Cloud, MN. Visitation will be from 9:30 to 11:00 AM on Thursday at the Church. Burial will be at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery, Little Falls, MN. Funeral arrangements were made by Benson Funeral Home, St. Cloud, MN.

Elaine was born July 8th, 1939 in St. Cloud, MN to Ralph Sr and Helen (Becker) Rymer. She attended Holy Angels, graduated from Cathedral High School, and graduated from the St. Cloud Beauty College. She worked in Hibbing before returning to St. Cloud. She married James “Jim” Moline in 1960 and later divorced. In 2012 she married Donald “Don” Ritchie.

Elaine loved her family. She very often attended swimming and football events of her grandchildren. She was also an artist, painting original works in oils and acrylics as well as many unique small projects. She supported veteran causes especially those for our wounded warriors as well as Helps International.

Elaine is survived by sons, Michael of Sartell, MN; Mark (Jill) of Sauk Rapids, MN; and Matthew of Chaska, MN; three grandchildren, Steven, Elizabeth and Erik; sisters, Joyce Merten of St. Cloud, MN; and Brenda (Peter) Albin of Plymouth, MN; brothers, Ralph Jr. “Sonny” (Joanie) Rymer of St. Cloud, MN; and Gary (Nancy Floodquist) Rymer of St. Cloud, MN; she was also survived by her furry family Shaylee, Alex, and Shadow.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Dr. Donald “Don” Ritchie, and her brother-in-law Nicholas “Nicky” Merten.

The family would like to thank the staff at the St. Cloud Hospital for all of their hard work and dedication, with a special thank you to the nursing staff whose diligence and attention to detail gave us a wonderful additional year with our mother.

Memorials are preferred to the American Cancer Society.