Newspaper Unknown
Wednesday, February 15, 1911

(From Saturday's Daily)

PIONEER WOMAN CALLED TO HER REWARD

Mrs. Jacob Ritter Expires Suddenly at Home In Kirkland

Dies From Heart Disease While Preparing to Eat Supper

One of the most estimable woman of the pioneer colony of this county. Mrs. Mary Jane
Ritter has ended life's journey, passing away suddenly at her home in Kirkland Valley,
Thursday evening. Heart disease was the fatal affliction, and the end came without the
least warning. She was preparing to eat supper, and while surrounded by many relatives,
swooned, and in a few moments was a corpse.

The shock was a sad one to her relatives, while by many her death will be sadly deplored.


She was the wife of Jacob Ritter, one of the pioneers of the county, and ever since the
day both arrived in this section, over thirty-five years ago, they have never been
separated, even for a single day. Her life was devoted to her husband and children, and
with a noble purpose she willingly shared in the privations of early days.

The old rock house as the Date Creek mesa, many miles from any habitation, was her home
for several years, which will serve to give a faint idea of her character and her
devotion to a mother's duty.

Pioneer residents especially, will learn with sincere sorrow of this noble woman's death,
removing, as it does, one of the heroic women of the era that is fast passing into
memory.

She was born in Illinois and was 69 years old. She was married in Texas, and from that
state, accompanied her husband to Arizona, never leaving since the day she arrived.

The remains were brought from Kirkland yesterday, and will be laid away in this city.

Besides her husband she is survived by four sons, Edward, William, Wayne and Henry
Ritter, who arrived yesterday, and will remain until the day of the funeral.

The body is being prepared for interment at Lester Ruffner's undertaking parlors.

Funeral arrangements will be announced later.

[Courtesy of Judy Wight Branson]