Terri Lorraine Ritter, age 72 of Manhattan, passed away on October 30, 2023. Terri was born November 2, 1950, the oldest child of Kaye and Richard Barrett.
Following high school, Terri attended Cloud County Community College where she was a cheerleader and where she met the love of her life, Gary Ritter. They were married on June 14, 1970. Following college, Terri and Gary settled down near family and friends to farm in Norcatur, KS. There they had three children, Chris, Heath and Sabrina.
In 1986 they moved to Manhattan, which they called home for 37 years. Terri initially worked for Office World and then the Manhattan-Ogden USD 383 school district and then transitioned to stay at home mom, supporting her family in their many activities.
Terri loved sports! One of her greatest joys was watching her kids and grandkids compete in many sports including basketball, football, softball and wrestling. She was one of the biggest K-State football fans who ever lived, holding season tickets for more than 30 years and almost never missing a game. She was well known for her tailgate spread before each game. Her wardrobe was almost entirely purple and she was known as a #1 Cat fan to many.
Terri fought a long and brave battle with breast cancer followed by metastatic breast cancer and, as was her style, outlived many dire prognoses with an “I will beat this” attitude. Her spunk endeared her to many.
Terri was preceded in death by her husband, Gary, and her parents Richard and Kaye Barrett.
She is survived by her children, Chris (Crystal) Ritter of Clearwater, Heath (Marci) Ritter of Randolph and Sabrina (Chris) Ault of Belvue, four grandchildren, Megan Ritter, Brent Ritter and Alayna and Easton Ault, one brother, Richard Barrett of Wichita, lifetime friends Barb and Barry Brooks and their children Amber Norman and Farrah Brooks, along with other relatives and many friends.
The family is so appreciative of the home health aides, nurses and transportation drivers at Meadowlark Hills who treated Terri like family and provided care through her time there.
Visitation is planned on Thursday, November 2 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home in Manhattan.
Graveside services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, November 3 at Sedalia Cemetery in rural Manhattan, Kansas with Rev. Kevin Larson officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Wamego Sports Academy – The Dub and can be sent in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502.