Mildred Ritchey

Mildred Ritchey, 81, Bismarck, died September 25, 2005 in a local care center. Services will be held at 11:00 AM Friday at Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Bismarck, with the Rev. Lisa Ahlness officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery. Visitation will be from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM Thursday at Eastgate Funeral Service and will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church. Millie was born September 22, 1924 in Underwood, ND, the daughter of John and Catherine Malloy Freborg. She was raised and attended schools in the country and in Turtle Lake where she graduated from high school in 1941 at the age of 16. She started working right away at an office in Garrison. Millie then moved to Santa Monica, California where she worked for Douglas Aircraft supporting the war effort in World War II. Millie returned to North Dakota where she helped raise her younger siblings. She married her childhood sweetheart, Eddie Klinger February 18, 1944 in Turtle Lake, ND. They then lived on Eddie's family farm. Eddie died in 1953 as a result of a car accident. Millie lived in Bismarck with her young son and daughter working at the State Capitol, the Bismarck Reminder and at Bismarck Schools from 1957 until she retired out of Simle Jr. High. Millie married Frank T. Ritchey on April 6, 1963. He passed away this past April. They enjoyed camping and she and Frank were members of the Good Sam Club where she was the secretary. Millie loved being around children and her work as a secretary in the schools kept her close to them. She continued to stay active with the Retired Teachers Association. Millie's family and friends will remember her as a gentle, wise, caring, forgiving person who always looked for the good in people and who never ever complained. She loved all children, of course her grandchildren and great grandchildren with whom she shared her witty personality. She was the hub, the cornerstone of her family. Millie enjoyed sewing and embroidery and was an excellent cook. Millie is survived by her children, Danny Klinger of Bismarck, Barb Bobo Nies Ralph Peters of Mandan, Linda Kuvick of Jacksonville, FL, Susie Wilbur of Ft. Worth, TX and Barbara Driscoll, Baltimore, MD; her daughter-in-law, Ellen Klinger of Bismarck; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; two brothers, John Freborg of Tioga, ND and Ronald Freborg of Turtle Lake, ND; three sisters, Jackie Jim Morley of Hillsboro, OR, Bonnie Larry Levi of Pittsburgh, CA and Sandy Kleinsasser of Great Falls, MT; many nieces, nephews and cousins including her special cousin and friend, Barbara Groff, Prineville, OR. She was preceded in death by her husbands, two brothers, Jim Freborg and Glenn Freborg and one sister, Jean Mehlhoff. Her family feels privileged and honored to have loved and been loved by this earthly angel. We will miss her.

Mildred Ritchey

September 22, 1924 - September 25, 2005