James R. Ritterman, 76,  of York, ND, died Saturday, August 14th, 2010, at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, ND.  Funeral services will be  11:00 AM, Wednesday, August 18, 2010 at the Leeds Lutheran Church with Pastor Richard Budd officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.  Casket bearers will be his grandchildren:  Leah Biby,  Steve Biby,  Gina,  James,  Anthony and Mitchell Ritterman.  Honorary bearers will be his grandchildren:  Lane,  Declan,  Reagann,  Aidan,  Matthew and McKenna Ritterman; great-granddaughter:  Bella Biby;  his truck drivers:  Leland and Frank Ritterman, Catlan Lysne,  Al Timms,  Billy Urness and  Rodney Parslow.   Music will be from Michelle Nybo, soloist with Dan Nybo, organist. Visitation will be Tuesday from 5 to 9pm  with a 9pm Prayer Service at the Nelson Funeral Home in Leeds.
James Robert Ritterman was born August 5, 1934 at York, ND, to Rudy and Iona (Rude) Ritterman.  He was raised there and attended the York School through the 8th Grade.  Jim graduated from Leeds High School in 1952 and attended Minot Business College.  Jim married Carol Fox on June 17, 1956 at Leeds.  They farmed near York and started a trucking business in 1959, which they owned and operated for over 50 years.  He began by hauling gravel for Wayne Oeffner, Les Torgerson and Benson County.  Jim also hauled gravel for the construction of the power plants at Riverdale and Underwood and the coal gasification plant near Beulah.  Jim trucked with his brothers Buddy and Leland for a time.   He also hauled grain to Grand Forks for Allan Young at the Farmers Co-op Elevator in Leeds and has also pushed snow during the winters.  His sons, Bob and Pete,  joined their father in the business as soon as they were old enough to obtain their commercial license.

Jim was baptized and confirmed at the York Lutheran Church and is currently a member of the Leeds Lutheran Church.  He has served as Mayor of York for 40 years.  Jim was also a member of the Leeds Rural Fire Department and the Elks.

Surviving are his wife:  Carol of York, ND;  sons:  Bob (Cindy) Ritterman of Leeds,  Randy Ritterman of Minneapolis and Pete (Nicki) Ritterman of Leeds;  11 grandchildren:  Leah (Steve) Biby,  Gina, Lane, Mitchell, Matthew, McKenna, Anthony, James, Aiden, Declan and Reganne Ritterman;  a great-granddaughter:  Bella Biby;  a sister:  Janet Nybo of York;  3  brothers:  Frank of Leeds,  Charles (Judi) of Fargo and Leland (Judy) of Leeds; a brother-in-law:  Derrel Britsch of Devils Lake and an aunt:  Bernice Hilzendager of Rugby, ND.

He was preceded in death by his parents;  brothers:  Ronald & Phillip "Buddy" Ritterman;  a sister:  Anne Britsch;  a brother-in-law:  Donald Nybo and a niece.



Condolences:

Dear Carol and Family~     Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this time.  Kristi, Matt, Sam and Sarah

To the family of James Ritterman.  Please accept our sincere condolences on the passing of Jim.  He was a good man.  We always enjoyed conversing with Jim when he would call in with questions about insurance or to add, delete drivers and equipment.  Jim was a good businessman and a loyal customer.   He will be missed by many I'm sure.    Blessings, Jed Dixon

Am sorry to hear about Jim's health & passing.Jim was a good friend,for many years. He was good to work with,always friendly & pleasant. Worked with him a lot,over the years,on gravel for the city of Leeds. He will be missed.Our sympathies & condolences are with you.  Gene & Arlene

Ritterman Family,   We are so sorry about Jim, our deepest sympathy to all his family.  Our prayers are with you.           Bob & Kay Verke

Thinking of your family during this difficult time.  I have many fond memories of the horse show adventures and Jim. Sandi Groff