Arthur Charles “Bud” Ritz

Arthur Charles “Bud” Ritz, age 91, was born September 5, 1932 in rural Sherman County, Nebraska, to Erich and Marie (Schwaderer) Ritz, the oldest of three children.  He died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family, in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, on April 28, 2024.  He died believing in his Savior and ready to meet Him.

His parents moved the family to a farm near Comstock, Nebraska, in 1945 where he attended high school.  Bud was quite an athlete.  He received All-State honors in football his Senior year of high school, and he also played basketball and medaled at State in high hurdles.  He graduated in 1950.

Bud was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Marian Elaine Hovie, on June 29, 1952, and they started their life together on the family farm southeast of Comstock.

In 1960 Bud, Marian and their four young children, Monica, Laura, Tom and Linda, moved to Siloam Springs, Arkansas, where he built the house in which he and Marian lived.  It was their home for the remainder of their lives.  Two more children, Steve and Stacy, came along some years after the move to Arkansas.

Having moved to Arkansas to take advantage of the growing poultry industry, Bud worked for Key Feed as a chicken fieldman, and raised broiler chickens from 1961-1986.  In addition, he milked Holstein dairy cows and raised registered Angus cattle.

He and Marian established and were the first leaders of the Prairie View 4-H Club.  In 1972 the Bud Ritz family was named Benton County and Northwest District Farm Family of the year.  He showed registered Angus and then served on the Benton County Fair Board and was the Beef Superintendent for many years.

Bud faithfully drove a Siloam Springs school bus for over 35 years, and always enjoyed taking school children on field trips, athletic events and many other extracurricular activities.

He was active in leadership at the Siloam Springs First Christian Church and later Twin Springs Christian Church, which became Community Christian Fellowship, serving as an Elder for decades.

Bud was the consummate parade float master, building and showing many floats over the years for churches, 4-H, and their alma mater of Comstock for the annual 4th of July parade.  Bud and Marian served as Grand Marshals of the Comstock parade in 2000. 

Throughout his life, he was most happy when he was on a tractor and was an avid toy John Deere collector.  He continued driving tractors by helping Tom on his farm even up to last month. 

His grandchildren and great-grandchildren will remember coming to visit at Christmas, where he and Grandma were always so welcoming and showed their love to each one in a special way. 

Bud and Marian were Nebraskans at heart, and traveled to their home state whenever they could.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Marian; parents Erich and Marie Ritz; three grandsons: Jacob & Joshua Ritz and Troy Arthur Hall.

He is survived by his children:  Monica and Don Rone of Cave Springs, AR; Laura and Jim Hall of Fletcher, OK; Tom and Chelli Ritz of Gentry, AR; Linda and Dan Huenefeld of Aurora, NE; Steve and Annie Ritz of Siloam Springs, AR; Stacy and Charles Slaughter of Fayetteville, AR. Grandchildren: Robert (Amanda), Nick (Nuresha), and Nate (Lindsay) Rone; Lori Hall (John) Hancock, Erin Hall (Joe) Dudkowski, and Alan (Jennifer) Hall; Erich (Stephanie), Justin, and Lezlie Ritz; Cora Huenefeld (Laban) Njuguna, Cody (Chelsea), Caleb (Mariette), Caden (Ashli), Conrad, and Carson (McKenna) Huenefeld; Peter (Jadyn), Jacob (Faith), Micah, and Zach Ritz; Brittany Clark (Chris) Chandler, Levi (Brooke), and Trenton (Taylor) Slaughter; and 37 great-grandchildren. Sister Carolyn Ritz Moravec and husband Ernest of Morrill, KS; sister Maxine Ritz Lewin and husband Byron of Aurora, NE. Also many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Memorial gifts may be sent to Terry Drake, 46331 804A Rd., Comstock, NE 68828 to be distributed among various organizations in Comstock.