ELLINWOOD — Ethel Francis Ringwald, age 98, passed away at Ellinwood District Hospital on July 18, 2021. She was born on Sept. 25, 1922 in Ellinwood, Kan. to parents David F. and Francis (Sprinker) Hammeke. Ethel grew up on a farm near Ellinwood later graduating from Ellinwood High school in 1940. She married Wessel Ringwald on Feb. 18, 1946 in Ellinwood, Kan. They lived and farmed near Bushton for 35 years before moving to Ellinwood in 1980. She was a homemaker and a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Altar society and other clubs in the area.

Ethel is survived by sons, Dennis (Beth) Ringwald, Iola, Kan., Michel (Linda) Ringwald, Ellinwood, Kan.; brothers Robert (Bernadine) Hammeke, Rozel, Kan., Richard (Shirley) Hammeke, Ellinwood, Kan.; sisters Alice Fountain, El Dorado, Kan., Eleanor Bauer, Burdette, Kan.; grandchildren, Chad (Angie) Ringwald, Ellinwood, Kan., Travis Ringwald, Humbolt, Kan., Christopher (Carissa) Ringwald, Ellinwood, Kan., Amy (Mark) Lewis, Monument, Colo., Justin (Janae) Ringwald, Ellinwood, Kan., Tyler Ringwald, Rapid city, S.D.; 11 great grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Louise Hammeke and Angie Hammeke; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by husband Wessel who passed away Nov. 1991; her parents; brothers Vernon Hammeke and Keith Hammeke; and sisters Bernice Bryant, Kathleen Dauber; brother in laws, Orville Bryant, Jack Fountain, and Lawrence Bauer; and sister in law Betty Hammeke. 

Public visitation will be Friday, July 30th from 12 to 7 p.m. with 3 p.m. Rosary and 7 p.m. Vigil service at Minnis Chapel in Ellinwood, Kan. Funeral Mass will be 10 a.m. Saturday, July 31st at the St. Joseph Church, Ellinwood with Father Terrance Klein officiating with burial following at the Rice County Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to St. Joseph Catholic School or Hospice for Homecare, in care of Minnis Chapel, Ellinwood, KS 67526. Condolences may be posted at www.minnischapel.org.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Minnis Chapel

113 N. Main

Ellinwood, KS 67526

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, July 21,2021