Karen Elizabeth Ritter's Obituary
Karen Elizabeth Ritter, 69, of Tulsa, passed away peacefully on April 15, 2025, at Clarehouse in Tulsa, surrounded by the love of her family.
Born on January 13, 1956, in East Lansing, Michigan, Karen was the daughter of Robert L. and Elizabeth (Cook) Herrmann. She graduated from Bedford High School in Massachusetts, Class of 1974, before attending the Boston University School for the Arts. She later earned a degree in Commercial Art from Oral Roberts University in Tulsa in 1980. Karen's family moved to Oklahoma when her father, a professor at Boston University Medical School, accepted a position as Assistant Dean of the Medical School at ORU.
On August 24, 2002 Karen married John Ritter in a beautiful ceremony in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. The couple first met playing volleyball at Asbury Church, which began a loving partnership that would span over two decades.
Karen was a devoted and compassionate educator, serving as a substitute teacher in the Jenks and Broken Arrow School systems, where she touched the lives of countless students. She was also a passionate artist, especially talented in watercolor, and found joy in arts and crafts. Her creativity extended to quilting in her final months, and she lovingly made a beautiful quilt for her granddaughter.
A skilled gardener with a green thumb, Karen delighted in caring for her flower and vegetable gardens and could often be found browsing the aisles of Joann Fabrics for her next creative project. But above all, Karen cherished time with her family-especially her grandchildren, who brought her immeasurable joy.
Karen is survived by her loving husband, John Ritter; her children, James Donahue and wife Sarah, Daniel Donahue and wife Kelsie; her bonus children, Kristin Stewart and husband Jaron, and Matt Ritter and wife Dayana; grandchildren Ayanna and Luca Stewart, Savannah and Wyatt Donahue, Jaxon Donahue, and Isabelle Ritter. She is also survived by her siblings, Stephen Herrmann and wife Anne, Anders Herrmann and wife Celine, and Holly Waite and husband Geoff.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her infant brother Teddy.
A memorial service to honor Karen's life will be held in the Mason Chapel at Asbury Church on Friday, May 2nd at 10am.
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