Betty Ritter

Betty Jane Slaven-Ritter passed away peacefully June 9, 2016 following an extended struggle with her health. She was a woman of dignity and loved with a deep commitment.

Betty was born November 27, 1928 in Tetonia, Idaho, the fourth of five daughters born to Harry Franklin and Mary (Bell) Owen. Her mother passed away when she was 11 and her father when she was 16 years old.

She married William C. Slaven Sr. November 27, 1948. Together, they had three sons, Bill, Harry and Rick. He passed away in the summer of '59 in a car accident. She married Leo Ritter in 1964 and they adopted three children, Kenyon, Tina, and Tim. Leo passed away in the summer of '74 in a boating accident.

Betty established and successfully operated the Whitman Cafe in Old Town Pocatello For sixteen years. Betty was well-known by everyone in Pocatello through her endless service to the disadvantaged and elderly in the Pocatello area. She provided free meals to those passing through Pocatello. Betty also provided free Thanksgiving and Christmas meals and all where invited that did not have a place to go. Betty was always there to transport the elderly residents of the hotel with rides to hospital and doctor appointments. Betty was trusted and loved by everyone she came into contact with. Betty loved the people interaction of waitressing and earned her living waitressing from age fourteen to seventy two and raised six children in the career she loved. Betty enjoyed Camping, fishing with her sisters, children and family. She enjoyed playing pinochle, gardening, flower gardens, anything to do with yard work and held pride in the most beautiful yard in her neighborhood no matter where she lived.

Betty is survived by her kids, Bill (Phyllis) Slaven, Tyhee, ID; Harry (Karlene) Slaven, Pocatello, ID; Rick (Ellen) Slaven, Pocatello, ID; Kenyan Ritter, Pocatello, ID; Tina Zamora, American Falls, ID; Tim Ritter, Pocatello, ID; her grandchildren, Kassy, Billy, Brook, Ashley, Penny, Jarrod, Danielle, Kimberly, Ron, Casey, Tia, Lori, Travis, Robert, Ryan, Dawn, Matt, Michele, and numerous great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, two husbands, sisters, Virginia; Violet; Verda ; Lucille; and infant brother Harry.

Funeral services for Betty will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, June 17, 2016 at Wilks Funeral Home, 211 W. Chubbuck Road, with Pastor Lew Phelps officiating. A viewing will be held Thursday evening from 6-7:00 p.m. and one hour prior to the services at the funeral home. Her interment will follow at Mountain View Cemetery.

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