Jeremy J. Ritchie

Jeremy Joseph Ritchie, 22, Minocqua, passed away Jan. 14, 2014, as a result of a traffic accident. He was born to his loving parents, Joe and Nancy (Whetstone) Ritchie, April 25, 1991. Jeremy married his high school sweetheart, Jamie Smith, Nov. 8, 2011. Jeremy attended AV-W and MHLT grade schools, LUHS and Nicolet College. Jeremy was employed at his family’s business, Ritchie Lakeland Oil and Propane, as a service technician, mechanic and truck driver. As a multi-sport athlete he competed in football, wrestling, basketball, hockey and track. Jeremy was a member of the LUHS DECA club. As an avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed trapshooting, hunting, fishing, water skiing, snowmobiling, four-wheeling and snowmobile racing. Jeremy was a very dedicated employee in the family business and took pride in his work. He strived for perfection and he accepted no less from his fellow employees. Jeremy started out digging trenches as a young boy and worked himself up to the “do it all” person in the company, a position that can never be filled because of his knowledge and work ethic. As a youngster, three years old, Jeremy won a snowmobile racing World’s Championship at Eagle River in the Kitty Kat Division. When his racing career ended, Jeremy spent the next several years as a mechanic for his younger brother’s snowmobiling racing team, Matt Ritchie Motorsports. With Jeremy’s hard work and dedication, Matt has won several world championships at Eagle River. Jeremy was extremely proud of his brother, Matt. Jeremy was a young man that in his short life, lived it to the fullest. Family was always first for him and Jeremy dedicated the last eight years of his life to his loving wife, Jamie, and his 2-year-old daughter, Jayden. He loved spending time with his family and friends, whether it be going on hunting trips, camping, watching football, being at the hunting shack or a trip to the beach. Jeremy enjoyed every minute of every day. His smile would light up a room and his personality was addicting. Jeremy is survived by his loving wife, Jamie; his precious daughter, Jayden; his parents, Joe and Nancy Ritchie; one brother, Matt Ritchie; one sister, Colleen (Jason Koranda); in-laws Jeff and Jean Smith and brother-in-law Justin Smith. He is further survived by his grandparents, Pete and Rita Ritchie, Anna Whetstone and Tom Smith; uncles Gary (Pam) Whetstone, and Mike (Julie) Smith; aunts Cathy (Mark) Leonard, Susie Yauk, Laura (Brian) Gilman, Debra (Brad) Malmgren and Wendy (Jason) Smith. He was proceeded in death by Grandpa Sam Whetstone, Uncle David Whetstone and Cousin Trai Whetstone. Pallbearers – Lincoln Abraham, Justin Barion, Joel Goll, Adam Gebert, Jason Jonas, Cory Kuchler, Nathan Hall, Brandon Hunter, Dan Bortz and Jake Olson. Memorials may be sent to Jayden Ritchie Memorial Fund, River Valley Bank. Visitation will be held Monday Jan. 20, 2-6 p.m., with a service at 6 p.m. at Faith Free Church in Woodruff. A luncheon and Celebration of Life will take place during the visitation and after the service in the hall at the church. Nimsgern Funeral & Cremation Services is handling the arrangements.