Ron Rittgers

Ronald Roosevelt Rittgers, 83, of Winterset, Iowa, passed away on Sunday, May 28, 2026, at Azria Health in Winterset.

Ron was born on August 14, 1942, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Anthony ‘Theodore’ and Florence (Thompson) Rittgers. He grew up in Johnston, Iowa, where he attended Johnston High School and later studied at Des Moines Area Community College. In December 1964, he married Suzette (Jacobe) Rittgers Smedes, and together they welcomed their daughter, Jennifer Elaine, in 1974. Though their marriage later ended, Ron and Suzette remained lifelong friends.

Ron worked for the Iowa State Highway Commission before spending many years as a taxicab driver in Des Moines. He lived in Johnston for most of his life before moving to Winterset in 2009. He enjoyed the slower pace of life, but his greatest joy was always spending time with family, taking road trips, and creating memories with the people he loved.

Of all the roles Ron held throughout his life, his favorites were being a “Girl Dad” and Grandpa. Family was the center of his world. He was patient and kind. He loved entertaining the kids and pets and visiting people. Everyone who knew Ron considered him a friend. He had a generous heart and would gladly give you the shirt off his back. He never missed an opportunity to tell his daughter, “Your mom is smart, and I think that you can do anything!” He was always supportive of anything Jennifer wanted to do. His proudest moment was when Jennifer graduated from college.

Ron was affectionately known as the “Cool Dad.” He loved creating adventures out of ordinary days and treasured every opportunity to spend time with Jennifer, Teresa, their children, and extended family. Some of his happiest days were spent behind the wheel of his car with Jennifer in the passenger seat, driving nowhere in particular, enjoying the open road with a Big Gulp Pepsi in his lap. Together they spent countless hours scooping the loop around Des Moines, watching airplanes take off and land at the Des Moines airport, flying kites at Ewing Park, swimming at Camp Dodge Pool, and heading off to movies and amusement parks.

Ron loved sharing his favorite things with the people he loved. Jennifer fondly remembers watching E.T., Star Wars, and Ghostbusters in the theater with him and her sister, Teresa. They spent lots of weekends roller skating and having sleepovers at the Farm. He welcomed Jennifer’s friends as if they were his own children and often took Jennifer and her friend Amy to the Polk County street dances and on other adventures. He was known for stopping at QuikTrip to buy candy to sneak into the movie theater and for finding ways to make every outing memorable. At the family farm, he took Jennifer on motorcycle rides, let her steer Grandma’s car while he worked the pedals, explored the fishing shacks along the Des Moines River, and spent hours hiking the property together.

Ron had a special gift for making people feel important and loved. He also appreciated life’s simple pleasures. Ron often said that some of the best things in the world were a perfectly cooked steak and an ice-cold fountain Pepsi.

Left to cherish his memory are his former wife and dear friend, Suzette Smedes; his daughter, Jennifer Bower; his bonus daughter, Teresa Smedes; his brother, Anthony “Tony” Rittgers and wife Diane; grandchildren, Brooke Cole and her husband, Jakob; Kate Bower; his bonus grandson, Jakob Bower, and his wife Michelle; bonus grandchildren Tristan, Kayla, and Chloe; bonus great-grandchildren, Bailey and Jack; His nephew Andy, and nieces Laura and Sara. His best friend, Dwayne Smedes; and many other relatives and friends.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Anthony ‘Theodore’ and Florence Rittgers. He was also preceded in death by his beloved cousins and lifelong neighbors, Mary Ann and Charlie Roberts. His favorite cousin, Rex Rittgers.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 29, at First Presbyterian Church in Muscatine, Iowa. A graveside memorial service at Rittgers Cemetery in Johnston on Friday, August 28. All are welcome. 

Memorial contributions may be directed to the family for a future college scholarship.