Verna K. Ritzert, 61, of Erie and a former Manhattan, Kansas resident died at 622 p.m., Wednesday, September 25, 2013 at Labette Health in Parsons.
    She was born on August 24, 1952, in Manhattan, to Charles and Annabelle (Herren) Johnston. She grew up in Manhattan and attended Manhattan schools, graduating from Manhattan High School in 1970. While in high school, she made several art sculptures that were sold. She continued to live in Manhattan and worked as a civilian contractor for the military.
    She and Dale Martin Ritzert wore married on November 17, 1979 at Manhattan. He survives of the home.
    They moved to California where they lived for a couple of years and she attended beautician school. They moved back to Manhattan in 1982, where she worked as a daycare provider, a Certified Nurse's Aide in nursing homes, and as a beautician. She moved to Erie in 2011.
    She enjoyed bingo, cards, casinos, puzzles, word search games, and reading. She was a quick-witted person with good values. No matter what situation she found herself in in life she always tried to make things right.
    In addition to her husband, Dale Ritzert, she is survived by her son, Bobby Ritzert, and his wife Tina of Flint, Michigan; two daughters, Alicia Myers and her husband, Josh, of Erie, and Annita Ritzert of Manhattan; nine grandchildren, Taylor, Dakota, Rawley and Jaden Ritzert, James and Jordan Myers, and Dylan, Katelyn, and Bayli Ritzert; three brothers, Richard Powell of Santa Maria, California, Charles Johnston of Kansas City. Missouri, and Tom Johnston of Independence, Missouri; two sisters, Shirley James of Independence. Missouri, and Carolyn Carter of Pahrump, Nevada. She was preceded in death by two brothers and three sisters.
    Memorial services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Pierce-Carson-Wall Funeral Home. Burial will follow in the East Hill Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home after 9 a.m. Thursday. Memorials are suggested to Boy Scout Troop No. 23 or to the Verna Ritzert Memorial Fund, and these may be left at or mailed to the funeral home 113 S. Main St., P.O.Box 182, Erie, KS 66733. Online condolences may be left at www.wallfuneralservices.com.