Ruth Reitan Obituary
With heavy hearts, we announce the death of Ruth Reitan of Decorah, Iowa, born in Portland, Maine, who passed away on August 27, 2022 at the age of 91. Leave a sympathy message to the family on the memorial page of Ruth Reitan to pay them a last tribute.
She was predeceased by: her parents, Emil Grefthen and Olive Grefthen (Thompson); and her siblings, Daniel W. Grefthen and Doris Grefthen Kennedy Murphy. She is survived by: her husband Phil of Decorah, IA; her children, Carol Reitan (Richard Boyden) of Berkeley, CA, Eric Reitan (Avida Williams) of St. Louis, MO, Peter Reitan (Huong Bush) of Irvine, CA, Paula Reitan of Crofton, MD and Rachel Reitan of New Orleans, LA.; her grandchildren, David, Samuel Boyden, Jacqui and Paisley Nowell; her stepgrandchildren, Felisa Williams (Graham Gordon), Christopher Williams (Sagen Jackson) and Jeremy Bush; and her stepgreat-grandchildren, Ja'Nayah, Ja'Khiayla Jackson, Chris Junior, Ma'Lenia, Melek Williams and Graham Gordon II.
In Lieu of flowers: memorials may be directed to the Phillip & Ruth Reitan Endowment for Teaching and Learning in the Biological Sciences at Luther College, Decorah, IA.; or the WMC Hospice.
