Sharen "Sherri" Jean Ritter

It is with a heavy heart that we share that Sharen "Sherri" Jean Ritter, age 84, of Hayden, Idaho, passed away peacefully on August 24, 2025.

Sherri was born June 18, 1941, in Wallace, Idaho, to her parents, Sherm and Rel Ely of Silverton, Idaho. Her most fond memories of her childhood were spending several weeks each summer at Camp Sweyolakan at Lake Coeur d'Alene, ski racing regionally out of Lookout Pass, and twirling for the Wallace High Band. Sherri graduated from high school in 1959 and went on to attend the University of Idaho in Moscow. She graduated from Idaho in 1963 with a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics and English, along with a secondary and vocational teaching certificate. Her career in education started in Clarkston, Washington, with most of her teaching career at South Junior High and Borah High School in Boise, Idaho before retiring.

At the University of Idaho, Sherri met Larry, whom she had known in Wallace, and they later married in 1963. Their shared love for the outdoors and adventure was evident in their many activities, from fishing and mushroom and huckleberry picking in Idaho’s woods to skiing. Sherri's graceful turns on the slopes, a skill she learned from an Austrian ski instructor, always turned heads.

Sherri's artistic talents were a significant part of her life. She was a skilled seamstress, creating beautiful gowns and clothes, and a talented knitter, making sweaters for her grandchildren. Her creativity extended to the kitchen, where she was an accomplished gourmet cook. In 1973, she shared her love for cooking by teaching a series of gourmet cooking classes at Lewis-Clark State College. She co-authored a cookbook, Cooking with Class, in 1979, which was illustrated by her father, Sherm Ely.

Larry's work as a mechanical engineer took them away from Idaho for a few years, but they maintained their yellow log cabin at Rockford Bay on Coeur d’Alene Lake where they eventually resided after retirement until moving to Hayden where they continued enjoying lake life at the Hayden Country Club golfing, playing bocce ball and time at the dock.

In retirement, Larry and Sherri traveled to many countries with multiple trips to the Vancouver Island gardens, France, and were snowbirds at their home in Surprise, Arizona. In Arizona, Sherri continued her art through painting at The Grand’s art club and took lessons from guest artists and attended monthly lessons online. Sherri said she was “inspired by the beauty exemplified in this world.”

Sherri is survived by her beloved husband, Larry Ritter; three children, Heidi Johnson (Clint), Chris Ritter (Cynthia), and Brenda Beckley (Darren); five grandchildren, Bryan Johnson (Katie), Michael Johnson (Heidi), Sam Beckley, Cooper Ritter, and Alex Beckley; and three great-granddaughters, Caroline, Norah, and Eloise Johnson. She is also survived by her siblings, Carolyn Rice and Sherm Ely, as well as many other family members and friends.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, loved ones and friends make donations to the Hospice of North Idaho. Their care, support and dedication to helping every patient pass with dignity, comfort and love was greatly appreciated. We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of love and support we have received during this difficult time.