Rosil Ritger was born one of eleven children on October 11, 1917, in Marathon, Wisconsin, Diocese of La Crosse, Wisconsin. She was the daughter of Philip and Amelia (Schlagenhaft) Ritger. She entered the Congregation September 4, 1937 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and entered the novitiate August 12, 1938, receiving the name Rose Ann. She pronounced her First Vows August 13, 1939 and Final Vows August 13, 1945 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Prior to entering the convent, Sister Rose Ann worked as a clerk in her father’s general store where he sold international machinery. In August 1937, one month prior to her entrance, Sister Rose Ann attended the ceremony of reception into the novitiate at St. Mary’s Convent, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. During the Mass, “I looked up at the Sacred Heart statue and something inside said: ‘I want you here.’ ” Sister Rose Ann wanted to stay then and there, but was advised to go home and “talk to your mother first”; a month later in September she was back at St. Mary’s Convent in Milwaukee. (From her oral history)

Sister Rose Ann was a good cook and a superb baker. She loved to surprise those whom she served with sweet-treats. Besides bread, rolls, coffeecake and fruitcakes, she loved to make fudge to share with anyone who liked candy. Sister Rose Ann’s specialty was cake decoration so she was often called on for wedding cakes, birthday cakes, etc.

From 1939 to 1967, Sister Rose Ann served as kitchen supervisor and cook in St. Mary’s Convent, Milwaukee, St. Mary’s Hospital, Wausau, Divine Savior High School, Milwaukee and Divine Savior Seminary, Lanham, Maryland. Referring to her years in Lanham, Sister Rose Ann said: “At ordination, even the parents were very kind to us because we took such good care of their boys.”

In 1970, Sister Rose Ann felt a call to go to her family home in Marathon to care for her mentally challenged brother, Gerry. “My mother urged me to go to the Convent even when her needs for me were great with the 11 children she had. (Mr. Ritger died at age 45)… and now I figure I’ve given her some time back by taking care of Gerry. I’m grateful my community lets me do this.”

After Gerry’s death in July of 1988, Sister Rose Ann retired in Milwaukee at Good Hope Convent, then at the Emmaus Community. In 1991 she was invited to be part of the Formation community at St. Pius East. In her retirement she felt her ministry was “prayer and solitude” even while being a positive and loving presence to those with whom she lived, especially our newer members.

From 1995 – 2001 Sister Rose Ann lived in the Salvatorian Heights Community, Milwaukee and in January, 2001 moved to the new assisted living facility, Salvatorian Sisters Residence, on the St. Anne’s Salvatorian campus. In spite of several health problems she continued to be a loving presence to all, especially to her sister, Sister Marcelline, during her last days in the nursing home.

Sister Rose Ann was prayerful, always eager to use her skills to make others happy; she showed a great concern for the province and Congregation, even during her years of ministry away from community caring for her brother.

On August 16, 2007 Sister Rose Ann willingly moved to the nursing home, aware that she needed more skilled care for her many physical problems. On September 1, 2007, her condition suddenly became more serious. She had developed pneumonia and that, along with severe asthma and congestive heart failure, made breathing difficult. The Sisters began keeping vigil, “watching and praying” with her. In the evening of September 3rd, Sister Rose Ann died peacefully and as Sister Segolena said: “She got her wings.” Sister Rose Ann was 89 years old and professed for 68 years.

May she now rejoice in fullness of Life forever.

Sister Rose Ann was the daughter of the late Philip and Amelia (Schlagenhaft) Ritger and sister of the late Marie (the late Jake) Knauf, the late Evelyn (the late Alfred) Straub, the late Sister Marcelline Ritger, SDS, the late Loretta (the late Arnold) Blume, the late Adolph (Germaine) Ritger, the late Alvin Ritger, Arreen (the late Kenneth) Masanz, the late Gerald Ritger, the late Delores (the late Victor) Schueller, and Philip (the late Leona) Ritger.

Sister Rose Ann is survived by many nieces and nephews and her many Sisters of the Divine Savior.

The Mass of Christian Burial was held on Thursday, September 6, 2007 at St. Anne’s Salvatorian Campus Chapel, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Burial was at Holy Cross Cemetery, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.