Blanche Rittmiller

Blanche M. Rittmiller, 98, of Saugerties, NY, passed away on Thursday, November 30, at her home surrounded by loved ones. She was born on December 24, 1924, in Bellefonte, PA, one of twelve children of John and Julia (Bitner) Leathers. She was predeceased by her husband of 60 years, the late Lawrence Rittmiller, who passed away in 2004.

Blanche enjoyed spending time with her family; whether the group met for one of her famous “work parties” or to celebrate occasions, she loved hearing new and favorite old stories and sharing a hearty laugh. She adored babies and was an actively involved grandmother and loving great-grandmother. She enjoyed attending church and regularly sang in the choir and to her children, often teaching ditties from her childhood. She helped pack up the station wagon every year to set off on a new family vacation - ranging from weeks-long cross-country tours to day trips to the Jelly Mill in Vermont, she shared her husband’s passion for travel. She was a seamstress, a draper by trade, who transformed her skills to fit her primary work as a homemaker. She enjoyed crafting, reupholstering furniture, sewing trendy clothing and handy household items, and helping her children and grandchildren with countless school projects.

Blanche is survived by her children: Wanda Smith of Poughkeepsie, Lawrence "Larry" Rittmiller, Jr., of Salt Lake City, UT, Tina M. Smith of Saugerties, Paula Rittmiller-Sirc and her husband Thomas Sirc of Shokan, and Kurt J. Rittmiller and his wife Denise of Middleburg, PA, her 12 grandchildren, Janine LaGrua, Aaron Smith, Brian Smith, Deserae Rittmiller, Jeret Rittmiller, Arthur Smith, Ryan Smith, Donald Smith, Jr., Jocelyn Michaels, Nicole Phifer, Anna Wuerthner, and Elwood "Woody" Rittmiller, her 10 great grandchildren, Robbie Baumberger, Sophia LaGrua, Henry LaGrua, Trenton Rittmiller, Ollie Michaels, Milo Michaels, Brooklynn Phifer, Naya Phifer, Amelia Wuerthner, and Cecelia Wuerthner as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins. In addition to her husband and parents, Blanche is predeceased by her 11 siblings. 

Arrangements are entrusted to Keyser Funeral & Cremation Service, Kingston, NY. Services will be held privately at the discretion of the family. For those who wish, contributions in Blanche’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.Alz.org  A tribute for Blanche can be found at www.KeyserFuneralService.com, where you may leave memories and expressions of sympathy for her family.