Barbara Jean Rittenbach

RITTENBACH — Barbara “Jean” (Hays), 81; born Sept. 14, 1934, in Washington; died April 21, 2016, Milton-Freewater, Ore. Surviving: husband of 61 ½ years, Emanuel; sons and daughters-in-law, Rod and Nel Rittenbach, Honolulu, Hawaii; Sid and Nancy Rittenbach, Umatilla, Ore.; Tracey and Ruth Rittenbach, College Place, Wash.; daughter, Melodie Rittenbach, Roseville, Calif.; brother; Michael Hays; sister; Patricia (Hays) Randall; and 2 grandsons, Cody Rittenbach and Josiah Rittenbach, both of College Place; as well as numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and in-laws.

She was the oldest daughter of Vern and Barbara Jean (Fischer) Hays. After travelling around the country for a while, her mother settled in College Place, WA when Jean was about 7 years old. She would spend the rest of her child hood here in College Place. She graduated from Walla Walla Valley Academy and went on to attend Walla Walla University.

In the summer of 1953, a cousin of Jean’s was travelling from California to North Dakota. He and his good friend, Emanuel Rittenbach were visiting relatives along their journey. When Emanuel met Jean he was immediately smitten! On their first date Emanuel asked Jean if he could pray with her. Little did he know that Jean had made a decision that she would not marry someone until he had prayed with her on their first date! Thus began a whirlwind romance that culminated in their marriage on Nov. 1, 1954. Emanuel did not find out about Jean’s promise to God until many years later!

Emanuel and Jean moved to North Dakota where Emanuel owned a farm outside of Butte, N.D. They would spend the next 31 years farming in North Dakota. Jean was active in the Butte Seventh Day Adventist church. She played the piano and organ for church, and she was also active in the church Dorcas Society. Jean loved to sew, quilt, knit, crochet, and read. She made many of her children’s and husband’s clothing. She also loved to cook. Jean enjoyed cooking her family’s favorite meals for them. It is obvious that Jean’s love language was “Acts of Service.” It was not uncommon for the children to come home from school to find 20 or more women in the living room as Jean would be instructing them on sewing, knitting, or quilting. She also taught all of her children how to play the piano.

In February 1985, Jean and her husband decided to lease out their farm and head for a warmer climate. They moved to Bakersfield, Calif., where they got jobs as church janitors for the Hillcrest Seventh-day Adventist Church. It wasn’t long before Jean received a job at San Joaquin Community Hospital in the Nutrition Services Department. Jean went back to school in her 50s and graduated with a certificate as a Certified Dietary Manager in 1991. She stayed employed there until her retirement.

In 2003, Jean’s children conspired to get her and Emanuel to move out of California and closer to two of her sons. In the fall of 2003 she attended her 50th alumni class reunion at Walla Walla Valley Academy. By the time they had gone home they had purchased a house in Milton-Freewater, Ore., and moved there in January of 2004.

After the move Jean was offered a job as a Meal Service Rep. at Walla Walla General Hospital in the fall of 2004. She stayed there until she re-retired in 2013. Her later years were spent making quilts for the local foster children and giving them to DSHS.

Jean was proceeded in death by her father, Vern Hays; mother, Barbara Jean (Fischer) Qualley; brother, Darryll Hays; and 2 grandsons, Casey Rittenbach and Joshua Rittenbach.

Jean was a faithful and loyal wife, a wonderful mom, a loving mother-in-law, and an awesome grandmother! She will be sorely missed by those who knew and loved her!

We all look forward to resurrection morning when we will get to see her again, and she will be able to hold her grandchildren who proceeded her!