Cheryl D. Rittenger

Traunik

Cheryl D. Rittenger, age 80, of Traunik and formerly of Alto, Michigan, passed away peacefully early Sunday morning, August 16, 2026, under the loving care of her family and North Woods Home Hospice.

Cheryl was born in Marquette, Michigan, on February 8, 1946, to the late Darwin and Vera (Johnson) Lehigh. She grew up in Munising, spending her cherished childhood years in Brown’s Addition and Frog Hollow. She graduated from William G. Mather High School in 1964 and went on to earn her associate degree from Davenport College.

While living in Grand Rapids, Cheryl met the love of her life, Bruce Rittenger. The couple was wed on April 2, 1966, in Chatham, Michigan, beginning a beautiful journey together that spanned sixty years. Bruce and Cheryl started their family in Alto, where they raised their two boys on the family dairy farm. Cheryl balanced farm life with a successful career at Amway, where she excelled as an executive secretary until her retirement in 2013. Following her retirement, she and Bruce moved back to the Upper Peninsula, turning their beloved cabin into their permanent home.

Cheryl lived life with a vibrant spirit and a wide array of passions. She had a deep love for farm life and a special affection for her many donkeys. An avid outdoorswoman, she enjoyed deer hunting, fishing trips to Canada, and tending to her many beautiful flower beds. She also found joy in the quiet comfort of a good book, shared a love of bowling with Bruce, and treasured the time spent visiting with friends at the American Legion, where she was a dedicated member of the Legion Auxiliary. Above all, Cheryl loved baking and cooking with her family. Her memory will live on every single year at Christmas, as her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren carry forward her treasured tradition of making and decorating Christmas cookies together.

She is survived by her devoted husband of sixty years, Bruce Rittenger; her loving sons and daughters-in-law, Mark and Ann Rittenger of Traunik, and Scott and Carrie Rittenger of Alto; her cherished grandchildren, Ali (Mark) Franco, Luke (Hailey) Rittenger, Erik (Rylee) Rittenger, and Bret (Anne Holsinger) Rittenger; and her adored great-grandchildren, Malachi, Amaia, Avalie, Delilah, Judson, Valley, and Charlotte “Charlie.”

Cheryl was preceded in death by her parents, Darwin and Mim Lehigh and Vera Lehigh, and her brothers, Don Lehigh and Brian Thornton.

A celebration of Cheryl’s life will be held at a later date.