My deepest condolences Paul was always a joy seeing everutike i saw him. I groomed his amazing dogs tucker and dani. He always put a smile on my face when I talked to him on the phone and when we talked in person. When someone dropped of the dogs he would always send a note with them. I will always cherish the memories and the notes. Until we meet again!
Paul F. Ritzenthaler
May 31, 1942 – February 15, 2021
Memorial services will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Monday, February 22, 2021 at the Daniel Funeral Home in St. Joseph, MN for Paul Francis Ritzenthaler, age 78, of Sauk Rapids, MN. He died on Monday, February 15, 2021 at the St. Cloud Hospital. Deacon Steve Yanish will officiate. Burial of the Urn will take place at the Minnesota State Veteran’s Cemetery at Little Falls, MN. Visitation will be one hour prior to the services at Daniel Funeral Home in St. Joseph.
Paul was born on May 31, 1942 in Rochester, NY, the son of Milton and Rosella (Reininger) Ritzenthaler. He attended and graduated from McQuaid Jesuit High School in Rochester, NY in 1960. He then attended John Carrol University at University Heights, Ohio for one year, prior to enlisting in to the U.S. Airforce on November 9, 1961. He served his country overseas in England and Germany as an administrative specialist obtaining the rank of PFC E-3. He was honorably discharged on November 2, 1965.
After the military he returned to Rochester, NY where he started his career in radio. Through his career he did radio sales, was a disc jockey and did commercial advertising clips. He moved to North Dakota in the late 1970’s, living in Fargo, ND, Staples, MN, Crookston, MN and later, St. Joseph, MN working at various radio stations in each community. He retired in 2004 but stayed active announcing at various sporting and civic events. Paul also worked as a bartender at various American Legion Posts and also wrote articles for small town newspapers.
Through his life he raised four children. He was a larger-than-life personality, talking to and treating everyone like family. He enjoyed golfing, was active in theater, and hosting gatherings with family and friends. He was especially fond of his grandchildren and his dogs Dani and Tucker.
Paul was a member of St. Joseph, MN American Legion Post #328, and a past member of Crookston, MN V.F.W. Post 1902.
In addition to his parents, Paul was preceded in death by one brother Donald.
He is survived by his four children; two daughters, Kari (Chris) Harrum and Krista (Kris) Trebtoske, his two sons, Paul (Judy) and Thomas; 8 grandchildren including Emilee Lufkin, Jack and Cal Trebtoske; one brother Milton (Bev) Ritzenthaler; other relatives and his special friends Linda, Suzie and Mary.
Guestbook
Please accept my deepest condolence’s for your sad loss of Paul
Although I only knew Paul for a short few years he was a joy and enlivening to be with and was the life and soul of the party
I will always remember going to play golf with Paul, via the bar first, maybe for dutch courage, or null the pain of what was to come on the course, nonetheless how good or bad you played, Paul always had a joke to tell, so all the bad shots faded into oblivion, so as you can guess, there were a lot of jokes told, and I for one will always cherish his memory
Goodbyes hurt the most, When the story was not finished
RIP Paul
Services
Visitation
Daniel Funeral Home, St. JosephServices
Daniel Funeral Home, St. JosephSchedule Details
Memorial services will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Monday, February 22, 2021 at the Daniel Funeral Home in St. Joseph, MN for Paul Francis Ritzenthaler, age 78, of Sauk Rapids, MN. He died on Monday, February 15, 2021 at the St. Cloud Hospital. Deacon Steve Yanish will officiate. Burial of the Urn will take place at the Minnesota State Veteran’s Cemetery at Little Falls, MN. Visitation will be one hour prior to the services at Daniel Funeral Home in St. Joseph.