John A. Ritter

John A. Ritter, 86, of Coon Valley, WI, passed away peacefully on February 10, 2026 at Norseland Nursing Home in Westby, with family at his side. He was born on April 19, 1939, in La Crosse to Wenzel and Lucille (Piepenhagen) Ritter. He was raised on the family farm near Newburg Corners and walked to the little red schoolhouse for his primary education. He attended Cashton High School for a little over a year but was then needed full-time on the farm. He married Sandra A. LeJeune on February 13, 1971. They farmed with his parents until purchasing their own farm in 1976, just a mile down the road from his parents. They farmed until retiring to Coon Valley in 2014.

John loved working outside and working the land. He didn’t love milking the cows as much, so he was fortunate to have his wife, three sons and a hired hand, Jerry Schaitel, to help milk. When his daughter asked him about a riding lawn mower for their huge yard, he simply stated he already had a mower (his daughter). He rushed everyone through the chores and milking many a time to watch his children’s sporting events. Later, he took great joy in watching his grandchildren’s activities as well as handing out half dollars to each of them.

John’s love for the land didn’t stop with farming. He enjoyed coon hunting and logging. He was always going up to strangers and striking up conversations. John loved starting the day with a cup of coffee at Ralph’s Trucking. Whether at a farm auction or drinking a Pepsi at The Likelee Spot, Leo & Leona’s or Dutz’s, there was never a shortage of conversation. He would help neighbors, strangers, friends, and family without thinking twice. John was an avid Packers, Brewers, and Badgers fan and loved trips to the casino to play blackjack. Later in life, he developed macular degeneration and significant hearing loss. When he could no longer do the activities he loved, he thoroughly enjoyed the best home-cooking and baked goods made by his wife.

He is survived by his beloved wife Sandra of 55 years; his four children, Katherine (Jon) Heiderscheit of La Crosse, David (Erika) Ritter of La Crosse, Steven Ritter of Coon Valley, and Robert (Lisa) Ritter of Cashton; eight grandchildren, Stephanie Ritter of Coon Valley, Chelsea Ritter of Osage, IA, Autumn Ritter (fiance Jaidan Rollings) of Janesville, MN, Haleigh Ritter of La Crosse, Lara Heiderscheit of Raleigh, NC, Abby Heiderscheit of Madison, WI, Kate Heiderscheit of La Crosse, and Alex Heiderscheit of La Crosse; two great-grandchildren, Onyx Ritter and Lyve Yang of Coon Valley; brothers-in-law, Michael (Diane) LeJeune, Francis (Carol) LeJeune, Marvin (Debra) LeJeune, Steve Tarpening, and Mark LeJeune; sisters-in-law, Jean, Joan and Peggy LeJeune, and Fern Ritter; many loved nieces, nephews, and special friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Wenzel and Lucille Ritter; in-laws, William and RoseMarie LeJeune; brother, James Ritter; sister, Janet Overman; brothers-in-law, Frank LeJeune, Dennis LeJeune, and Jerry Overman; sister-in-law, Sharon Tarpening; and nephew, Allen LeJeune.

Visitation will be Friday, March 13, from 4-7 pm at the Seland Funeral Home in Coon Valley, with a prayer service at 7 pm. A private family burial will be held at a later date. Condolences may be given at selandsfuneralhome.com. 

A special thank you to the staff at Norseland Nursing Home in Westby for the loving care they provided John these past few years.