Reva Jane Ritland, 94

Published 10:05 am Monday, August 3, 2015

Reva Jane Ritland, 94, of Austin, Minnesota, died peacefully in her sleep Saturday morning, Aug. 1, 2015, at Sacred Heart Care Center in Austin, Minnesota.

Ritland

Ritland

She was born Feb. 12, 1921, in Boyne City, Michigan, to Gordon and Neva (Harper) Kirby. Reva graduated from Boyne City High School in 1939 and attended St. Mary’s Nursing College in Anderson, Indiana, where she graduated with a nursing degree. Upon graduation in 1942, she enlisted in the United States Navy and was stationed in Guam. She served her country as a flight nurse in the Pacific Theatre. Reva met her husband Don at the Officers Club in Olathe, Kansas, and they were married on Sept. 20, 1945, in Piedmont, California. To this union, four children were born. They moved to Austin in 1949. Reva worked at St. Olaf Hospital as a floor nurse for many years. Her hard work and attention to details were noticed. Reva was asked to be the director of nursing at St. Mark’s Care Center in Austin. After retiring from nursing, she bought Just Hilda’s dress shop in downtown Austin. Her other hobbies included gardening, needlework, being a big-time sports fan and being a wonderful cook. Reva enjoyed volunteering at the Elks Lodge, the Red Cross and as a member at St. Olaf Lutheran Church.

Survivors include her three daughters: Marcia (Gary) Lunt of Austin, Jane (Douglas) Johnson of Cottage Grove, Minnesota, Janet (Robert) Jacobsen of Austin; and daughter in law Linda Ritland of Plymouth, Minnesota; 11 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren; one sister, Marianne Halstad of Zearing, Iowa; and many nieces, nephews; other relatives and friends.

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She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband Don in 2004; son Gregory in 2011; and five brothers and three sisters.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2015, at St. Olaf Lutheran Church. Visitation will be held one hour before the service at the church. Military rites will be conducted by American Legion Post No. 91. Interment will be at Oakwood Cemetery. Family prefers memorials to St. Olaf Church. Worlein Funeral Home of Austin is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.