Ilene Joyce Ritenburgh

Ilene Joyce (Goodall) Ritenburgh, age 90, of Caledonia passed away on Monday, April 24, 2023. She was born on February 2, 1933 in Big Rapids, Michigan to the late Gladys (Fisher) and Charles Goodall. Ilene married the love of her life, Vernon F. Ritenburgh on August 13, 1950. They had 69 years of marriage together before Vern passed in 2019. They were forever at each other’s side, maintaining their landscaping, gardening, and vacationing. She loved to watch the deer, turkeys and wildlife come out of the woods and play by the pond, except for the muskrats! She was preceded in death by her son, Vernon C. Ritenburgh; infant daughter, Yvonne Carol; in-laws, Alvena and Floyd Ritenburgh; sister, Lorraine (Don) Goldman; brother, Stanley (Bing) Goodall; in-laws, Gerald, Arnold and Donna Jean, Richard Ritenburgh. She will be lovingly remembered by her daughters, Gayle (Al) Peterson, Deb Ritenburgh, Terri Manert all of Grand Rapids, Brenda (Rick) Kraima of Wayland. Ilene was blessed with several grandchildren and great grandchildren; in-laws, Norma and Glenn Cotton of Kalkaska, Margaret Ritenburgh of Traverse City; special cousins, Marilyn and Glenn Patrick of Big Rapids; and several nieces and nephews. Per Ilene’s request no funeral services are going to take place. There will be a short graveside ceremony on Saturday, April 29, 2023, 11 a.m. at Alaska Cemetery (68th St and Thornapple Dr SE). The forecast shows rain, please bring umbrellas. Relatives, neighbors, and friends are invited to attend, and then we will go back to Ilene’s home for a luncheon following the graveside ceremony. The family is requesting no flowers or planters. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the charity of your choice.