Bonnie Ritchie

Bonnie Lou Ritchie, 60, of Exira, Iowa, passed away Tuesday, September 10, 2013, at the Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa.

She was born in Middletown, Ohio, November 19, 1952, the daughter of Kenneth and Lizzie (Nickell) Wells. She grew up and attended school in Middletown, OH. On September 12, 1981, she was united in marriage to Jim Ritchie. Bonnie created great home environments for her family and made many friends in various locations across the country as they relocated frequently with Jim's job. She most recently lived in Exira, Iowa, in the summer months and Oldsmar, Florida, in the winter months.

Bonnie was a collector of antiques. She enjoyed cooking and good food. She loved her family and especially enjoyed spoiling her grandchildren. She was an outspoken but generous person who was compassionate and strong willed. Bonnie was known for her story telling, laughing, and being kind and helpful to others. She was inseparable from her best friend and husband, Jim.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Kenneth and Lizzie Wells and her grandson, Alan Hoyer.


Bonnie is survived by her husband, Jim of Exira, IA; her children: Kelly (Dave) Hoyer of Littleton, CO, Randy (Misty) Whitt of Atlantic, IA, Tim Schlechty of TN, David Schlechty of TN, Leslie Jean (Wayne) Clary of Griswold, IA, and Jimmy (Erika) Ritchie of Dana Point, CA; her grandchildren: Austin Hoyer, Karlie Hoyer, Jonathan (Cassi) Pilgreen, Lindsey Hoyer, Corey Whitt, Kenneth Clary, Walker Whitt, Rachel Hoyer, Riley Hoyer, Sara Schlechty, Riker Whitt, Christian Ritchie, Madison Ritchie and Laina Schlechty; her great-grandchildren: Aleyah and Jackson Pilgreen; her siblings: Dorothy (Harold) Ingram, Michael Wells, Delores Stilwell and Donnie Wells; other relatives and friends.

Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, September 14, 2013, at Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, Iowa. A private family interment of ashes will be in the Griswold Cemetery at a later date.

Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, Iowa, is in charge of the arrangements.