Funeral services for Lloyd Edward "Ed" Ritts, age 84, of O'Neill, NE will be 11:30 a.m. Saturday, April 24, 2021 at Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill. Burial will be in the Grimton Cemetary. Visitation will be on Saturday from 10 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Ed passed away Saturday, April 17, 2021 at Faith Regional Hospital in Norfolk, Ne. Memorials may be directed to the family for future designation. Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill is in charge of the arrangements.

Lloyd Edward Ritts was born February 3, 1937 to Lloyd and Loretta (Graham) Ritts near O'Neill. He grew up on the family farm northwest of O'Neill. He attended District 8 country school and later graduated from O'Neill High School in 1955. He was active in track, football, FFA, and class plays.

Ed enlisted in the United States Marine Corp and served from September 1955 until 1958, spending some time in Okinawa, Japan. Upon returning home, he worked various jobs. In 1959 he became employed by Shelhammer Oil Company for numerous years. He also worked part time at the local sale barns and at O'Neill Lockers as a butcher.

After meeting in high school, Ed married Beverly Ritts on January 17, 1960 in O'Neill. To this union three children were born; Cindy, Cherie, and Bruce. In 1976 the family moved from northwest of O'Neill to northeast of O'Neill. Ed and Bev built their dream log house on the hill in 1995. This is their current home where Ed lived until his passing.

Ed rode saddle broncs in his younger years. He also enjoyed hunting, trapping, watching wildlife, and ranching. He was a member of the NRA, country school board District 8, and served on the election board for several years. His grandchildren became the highlight of his life. Ed loved to spend time with all of them, sharing his stories, and watching them grow.

Ed is survived by his wife of 61 years, Beverly Ritts; daughters, Cindy (Bill) Mayes of Minneapolis, MN and Cherie (Wayne) Bonifas of Blue Hill, NE; grandchildren, Sam (Jamie) Mayes, Sarah Mayes, Hannah (Hal) Curtiss, Kelsey (Zach) Herz, Riley (Katy) Bonifas, Dakota DiFrancesco, Rylee Ritts, and step granddaughter Ashlyn Hoopingarner; and great-grandchildren, Wesley and Brandy Herz.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd and Loretta Ritts; son, Bruce Ritts (2008); sister, Lieu and spouse Charles Felver; brother, Leonard and spouse Marilyn Ritts; in-laws, Nels and Elda Mae Linquist; and two brothers-in-law, Don Linquist and Tom Whitehill.