Funeral Services For Harold Ritter

Funeral services for Harold Ritter, age 95, of Tilden, Nebraska will be at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 20, at Peace United Church of Christ in Tilden. Reverend Theta Dame will officiate, with burial in Tilden City Cemetery.

Visitation will be Monday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Brockhaus-Harlan Funeral Home in Tilden.

Harold Arthur Ritter, son of William and Margaretha Ritter, passed away last Friday, October 16th, at 1:30 p.m. He was 95. 

Harold was born on September 16, 1920, in Tilden, Nebraska, where he lived his entire life on the family farm. He graduated from Tilden High School in 1937. 

A lifelong bachelor, Harold enjoyed a wide circle of friends. He had frequent visitors, who were captivated by his entertaining stories, sharp wit and ready delight in things. Many were drawn to and fascinated by his mechanical innovations. A farmer by day and wood carver by night—and a wizard inventor with any other spare moment he had —Harold lived every day of his extraordinary life to its fullest. 

He sported a full white beard in fond remembrance of his grandfather, Fredrick Ritter, a farmer and pillar of the Tilden community. While it covered his chin and jowls, the beard could hardly mask his vibrant expressions. When something amused Harold, his entire face lit up, revealing a sly, sideways smile, a twinkle in his bright blue eyes, accompanied by a slight toss of his head and a low chuckle. 

He was at his happiest making and building things. He carved animals 
of every kind, including horses, bears, elephants, giraffes, many of which are on display at the Antelope County Museum, along with a windmill he restored. Harold made everything from tables to grandfather clocks, a spinning wheel, electronic organ, miniature violin and bow, turning lathe as well as a steam locomotive that he rode in the Tilden parade. His nieces and nephew fondly recall the fully operating, kid-sized, red tractor he built, which they looked forward to riding around every summer.

If Harold wanted something, he made it, often improvising with stuff hangng around his shop. Possessing boundless curiosity and zeal, he was always immersed in a project and generating ideas for a dozen others. He could figure out how almost anything worked just by looking at it long and hard.

Modest about his talents, the best compliment he’d give himself was: 
“Well, I guess I’m not too disappointed with the way that one turned out.”

Harold was a devout Christian Scientist since boyhood and never wavered in his beliefs. He did not go to doctors and refused medicine.

He loved Nebraska and its land and planted over a thousand trees on his property. He was a generous supporter of many charities and institutions, including the Antelope County Museum and Pierson Wildlife Museum, where he found inspiration for his carvings. 

Harold was a devoted son, a protective older brother and a warm and loving uncle. He is survived and much missed by his brother, Rolland Ritter of St. Paul, Minnesota; nephew, Dan Ritter of St. Paul, Minnesota; niece, Sue Ritter of Minneapolis, Minnesota; niece, Karen Ritter of Brooklyn, New York; great-nephew, Jordan Wolman of Brooklyn, New York; first cousin, Fredrick Ritter of Tilden, Nebraska, and family; and beloved friend, cousin and neighbor, Sheryl Wingate, and family.