Neatta Ritchie

Neatta Ritchie, who celebrated her 94th birthday on Saturday, passed away on Sunday, Aug. 27 at the Community Memorial Home in Osakis where she had been a resident.
M. Neatta Clay was born on August 26, 1912 near Turton, South Dakota to Eleazor and Bessie (Olver) Clay. She moved with her family to Osakis while still a young woman. She was married to Robert Leonard Ritchie on September 9, 1929 and made their first home near Nelson, MN and then moved to Osakis where they owned and operated several different businesses over the years. They owned a dairy and delivered milk door-to-door in glass bottles. The Ritchie's also ran the Phillips 66 gas station/restaurant, where Neatta was the cook. They sold the business in '49 and moved to California where Neatta got a job as a cook at Bullock's Tea Room, a place in downtown Los Angeles where celebrities often frequented. Upon their return to Osakis, Neatta took a job for LeRoy Meyer and was the head cook at the Garden Center restaurant for over 23 years. Neatta was a member of the United Methodist Church and belonged to the UMCW and the Senior Citizens Club of Osakis.
Neatta had many interests and hobbies. In addition to her wonderful talents in the kitchen, especially homemade pies, Neatta also learned to do tatting and made many beautiful doilies and lace collars. She liked to sew, make hook rugs and do quilting. She was a wonderful letter-writer who also kept personal journals throughout her life. Playing cards or a game of pool were other types of entertainment she enjoyed. The Ritchie's enjoyed traveling and spent many years wintering in Arizona. They always looked forward to their annual trips down south.
Neatta was a kind and loving mother, grandma and sister who will be dearly missed by her family and all who knew her.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Roberta and Harold Laven of Osakis; 4 grandchildren, Carol (Don) Nack of Osakis, Jane Laven of Chaska, Richard (Debbie) Laven of Dundas, MN and Mark (Julie) Laven of Buffalo; 10 great grandchildren; 6 gt. gt. grandchildren; 3 sisters, Ellendale Bartz of Glenwood, Eleanor Schmidt of Wasilla, AK and Marjorie Trummer of Hutchinson; a brother, Zerl (Velma) Clay of Bertrum, MN; many nieces and nephews.
Preceding Neatta in death are her parents, her husband, Bob in 2004, a sister, Virginia Caimigilo and a brother, Forrest Clay.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday, August 30, 2006 at the Osakis Lutheran Church with Rev. Mark Bateson officiating. Musicians were organist, Pat Converse and soloist, Kelly Smith. Interment was at the Gordon Pleasant Hill Cemetery in rural Osakis with casketbearers Shawn Laven, Courtney Zack, Jason Gustafson, Nathan Louwagie, Rex Clay and John Bartz.
Arrangements were handled by the Roy-Hetland Funeral Home in Osakis, MN.