Bea Borghild Ritschard , age 91 of Monroe, died Tuesday, April 12, 2011 at her home. She was born May 13, 1919 in Bagn, Valdres, Norway. She immigrated to the U.S. in 1920 with her parents, Gunnar and Ingrid (Finhert) Lean, two brothers, Oddmund and Arne, and a sister, Inga. She graduated from Argyle High School in 1938 and Madison Business College.
Bea married Paul W. Ritschard on August 5, 1941 and they lived together in Monroe until Paul's death on November 20, 1995.
She worked as a Legal Secretary in the law firms of Blum and Blum and Arthur C. Benkert for 10 years. In 1955 she was appointed Green County Court Reporter serving until May of 1959 when she was appointed Register in Probate, a post she held until retiring in 1981. Bea served under three judges, namely, Marshall L. Peterson, Roger L. Elmer, and Franz W. Brand.
She was a member of St. John's United Church of Christ where she served on the church council for 6 years, 4 of those as secretary. She was past president of St. John's Women's Guild and Naomi Circle. She also held offices in Loyalty Temple No. 4, Pythian Sisters and its Past Chiefs Club. She was a member of the Women's Relief Corps, American Legion Auxiliary for over 60 years, Ostenstaden Lodge-Sons of Norway, Epsilon Sigma Alpha Sorority, Honorary Life member of the Wisconsin Register in Probate Association and St. Clare Auxiliary. Bea also served on the Board for the New Glarus Home Auxiliary and volunteered at St. Clare Hospital.
She is survived by two daughters, Shirley (David) Lawson of Rockford, IL, and Jane (Dennis) Ganshert of Monroe; three grandchildren, Julie (Joel) Haney, Greg (Kate) Lawson, and Josh Ganshert; three great grandchildren, Isaac and Faith Haney, Simon Lawson.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; three brothers, Oddmund, Oscar, and Arne Lean; and three sisters, Norma Lean, Inga White, and Gilma Engen.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 16, 2011, at 11:00 A.M., at St. John's United Church of Christ, Monroe. Rev. Gretchen Sylvester will officiate with interment to follow in Greenwood Cemetery, Monroe. Visitation will be at the Newcomer Funeral Home on Friday from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Memorials may be given in Bea's name to St. John's United Church of Christ or Monroe Clinic Hospice. To send an expression of sympathy go to www.newcomerfuneralhome.net
Bea married Paul W. Ritschard on August 5, 1941 and they lived together in Monroe until Paul's death on November 20, 1995.
She worked as a Legal Secretary in the law firms of Blum and Blum and Arthur C. Benkert for 10 years. In 1955 she was appointed Green County Court Reporter serving until May of 1959 when she was appointed Register in Probate, a post she held until retiring in 1981. Bea served under three judges, namely, Marshall L. Peterson, Roger L. Elmer, and Franz W. Brand.
She was a member of St. John's United Church of Christ where she served on the church council for 6 years, 4 of those as secretary. She was past president of St. John's Women's Guild and Naomi Circle. She also held offices in Loyalty Temple No. 4, Pythian Sisters and its Past Chiefs Club. She was a member of the Women's Relief Corps, American Legion Auxiliary for over 60 years, Ostenstaden Lodge-Sons of Norway, Epsilon Sigma Alpha Sorority, Honorary Life member of the Wisconsin Register in Probate Association and St. Clare Auxiliary. Bea also served on the Board for the New Glarus Home Auxiliary and volunteered at St. Clare Hospital.
She is survived by two daughters, Shirley (David) Lawson of Rockford, IL, and Jane (Dennis) Ganshert of Monroe; three grandchildren, Julie (Joel) Haney, Greg (Kate) Lawson, and Josh Ganshert; three great grandchildren, Isaac and Faith Haney, Simon Lawson.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; three brothers, Oddmund, Oscar, and Arne Lean; and three sisters, Norma Lean, Inga White, and Gilma Engen.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 16, 2011, at 11:00 A.M., at St. John's United Church of Christ, Monroe. Rev. Gretchen Sylvester will officiate with interment to follow in Greenwood Cemetery, Monroe. Visitation will be at the Newcomer Funeral Home on Friday from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Memorials may be given in Bea's name to St. John's United Church of Christ or Monroe Clinic Hospice. To send an expression of sympathy go to www.newcomerfuneralhome.net