Peter P. Ryterske, Jr.

Service Details

Mr.  Ryterske’s  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Lucy Catholic Church, 3101 Drexel Ave. at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, April 30^th, with Rev. Mark R. Jones officiating. Visitation will be in the church that Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the Mass.

Memorial Suggestions

In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested memorials to St. Lucy Catholic Church, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and St. Luke Medical Center Cancer Care in care of Dr. Michael Mullane, MD.

Peter P. Ryterske Jr., age 93, passed away peacefully at the Pleasant Point Assisted Living Center on Friday, April 16, 2021. He was born in Racine on May 2, 1927, the son of the late Peter P. and Margaret (nee: Sorenson) Ryterske, Sr.

Mr. Ryterske served his country with the U.S. Army. While in the service, he met the love of his life, Mary H. Thraen. They were married on June 28, 1947, in the Chapel of Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C. She preceded him in death on July 20, 2009.

Mr.  Ryterske was a Tool and die Engineer, working for Massey-Ferguson, Walker Manufacturing, Jacobsen Manufacturing. and finally Webster Electric before becoming self-employed, and finally retiring in 1992. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, trap shooting, dog trialing, and gardening. Mr. Ryterske was a member of St. Lucy Catholic Church, the Wisconsin American Legion, the V.F.W. and the Racine Elks Club. He joined his friends for swimming at the YMCA and then breakfast several times per week.

Surviving are his daughters, Constance (James) Runge, Jeanne Schaefer, and Susan (Martin) Halcsik; his daughter-in-law, Donna (Zilles) Ryterske; grandchildren, John (Keri DuVall) Runge, James A. Runge, Mary Jill  (Elias Garcia) Runge, Joel Runge, Eric Schaefer, Michelle (John) Jensen, Stephanie (Scott Welbon) Schaefer, Shawn Halcsik, Rachel (Brian) Coates, Kathryn Ryterske, and Sarah (John) Pogvara; great-grandchildren, Dylan (Jessica Cross) Runge, Mykenna (Bryan Maraccini) Runge, Jayden Garcia Runge, Andryk Garcia Runge, William Runge, Paula (Christoph Carleton) Truss, Collin Biagas, Audrey Welbon, Evelyn Welbon, Amilia Coates, and Emmett Coates; great-great-granddaughter, Peyton Runge; sisters, La Verne Gentz, Kathleen (Ronald) Barth, and brother, Benjamin Hubert. In addition to his parents and beloved wife, Mary, Mr. Ryterske was preceded in death by his son, Thomas P. Ryterske, son-in-law, Mark J. Schaefer, and brother-in-law, Donald Gentz.

In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested memorials to St. Lucy Catholic Church, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and St. Luke Medical Center Cancer Care in care of Dr. Michael Mullane, MD.

Mr. Ryterske’s family would like to thank his caretakers with Hospice Alliance, Pleasant Point Senior Assisted Living, and Ascension All Saints Medical Center for the compassionate care of their father.