Gordon Lane Rittscher

Funeral Services for Gordon L. Rittscher, age 66 of Clearwater, were 10:30 am Saturday, February 5, 2011 at Concordia Lutheran Church in Clearwater, with Pastor Daniel Feusse. Music was provided by Sherri Ahlers, Organist and Bob Sisson Soloist. Burial was at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Neligh, NE. Military rites were conducted by the American Legion Post 267 of Clearwater. Pallbearers were Jason Rittscher, Ryan Rittscher, Kevin Rittsher, Scott Wells, Nic Kimmel, and KC Rittscher. Honorary Pallbearers were Jim Wells, Bill Lyons, Sid Charf, Bob Snodgrass, Dennis Flenniken, Ed Schindler. Visitation was from 5:00 to 7:00 pm, Friday, February 4, 2011 at Snider Memorial Funeral Home, Clearwater. Gordon passed away Wednesday, February 2, 2011 at his home in Clearwater, Ne. Arrangements are being conducted by Snider Memorial Funeral Home of Clearwater.

Gordon Lane Rittscher was born on May 29, 1944 to Ernest and Creta (Caubarrus) Rittscher at home in rural Elgin. Gordon was baptized April 1, 1956 at the Antelope Creek Church rural Elgin, and was confirmed Nov. 30, 1973 at the Concordia Lutheran Church in Clearwater. He attended country school at District 70 and graduated in 1963 from Neligh High School in Neligh. He was a two time state champion wrestler in 1961 and 1962 and a state runner-up in 1963. He was an all state football player at Neligh and his team won the Husker Championship in 1961 and went undefeated in 1962. After graduation he worked at Western Airlines in Los Angeles, CA. Gordon entered the US Army on June 22, 1965 at Omaha, and was discharged on June 6, 1967 at Fort Hamilton, New York . On October 3, 1970 he was united in marriage to Brenda Koinzan at Concordia Lutheran Church in Clearwater. Gordon worked construction, owned and operated the Western bar in Clearwater for 18 years, drove truck for Rittscher trucking he also worked for Antelope county and the Nebraska Department of roads. He retired in 2005. Gordon liked his gardening, wine making, fishing, hunting, and cooking. He was a member of the Clearwater American Legion Post #267 for 23 years and a past member of the Clearwater Volunteer Fire Department. Survivors include his wife Brenda of Clearwater, a daughter Leah and husband Scott Buhrman of Wisner, a granddaughter Lauren, brothers: Ron and Judy Rittscher of Gothenburg, Gale and Shirley Rittscher of Elgin, Allan and Alice Rittscher of Elgin, a sister Sharalyn and Rich Wells of Neligh. Mother in law, Jerri Koinzan of Elgin, a brother in law Barton and Sandi Koinzan of Neligh, many nieces, nephews, family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, father in law Marvin Koinzan.