Patsy Rittenhouse, 83, Fort Wayne, passed away at 4 a.m. on Feb. 11, 2020, at Apple Ridge Assisted Living, Fort Wayne. One of four children, Patsy was born on April 22, 1936, in North Manchester, to Millard R. and Mildred M. (Brandenburg) Walgamuth.

After graduating from Chester High School in 1954, Patsy married Lt. James Geist. In 1957 Lt. James Geist was killed in a military flying accident. It was by God’s grace that Patsy found her soulmate, James “Jim” Rittenhouse, and married him on Nov. 25, 1959. Patsy was Jim’s sweetheart and centered him. During their sixty years together, Patsy worked for New Haven Middle School for twenty-six years, before retiring in 1998. Together they were members of the United Methodist Church in New Haven, Indiana. Patsy was a loving, caring wife and mother, although sometimes over protective, her family meant the world to her and she wanted to keep them safe. After losing her son, James Geist in an accident and daughter-in-law a short time after, Patsy opened her heart and home and became surrogate parents for her grandchildren. Examples of this kind of generosity and compassion could be seen many times over the span of Patsy’s life.

The loving memory of Patsy Rittenhouse will be cherished by her husband, James “Jim” Rittenhouse, Fort Wayne; son, Michael (Cathy) Rittenhouse, Greenwood; brother, Robert “Bob” (Bernadine) Walgamuth; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Patsy was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, James Geist; son, James Geist; two sisters, Violet Betten and Doris Newman.

Family and friends may call from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Friday, Feb. 14, at the New Haven United Methodist Church, 630 Lincoln Highway E, New Haven. Funeral services will begin at the conclusion of calling. A graveside service will be held Saturday, Feb. 15, at 1 p.m. at Oaklawn Cemetery, 600 Beckley Street, North Manchester. Chaplain Mark Perkins will officiate.

For those who wish to honor the memory of Patsy Rittenhouse, memorial contributions may be made to Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, Ohio or Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675.

Arrangements are entrusted to McKee Mortuary.