Obituary of Mary Louise Ritchhart Ergle

Mary Louise Ritchhart Ergle, Age 89

Mary Ergle, 89, of Winter Haven, FL, passed away quietly in her sleep on January 27, 2022, with

her family by her side. She had Alzheimer's Disease.

"Mary Lou" was born in Orient, Iowa on August 28, 1932, and it was there where she spent her childhood. After high school graduation, she moved to Des Moines for a while before moving to Florida to raise her own family. She was a devoted mother, supporting her and her community's kids in all their activities; sports, scouts, school and church groups, etc.

Mary also embarked on a career as a Registered Nurse, first graduating from Polk State College and then from Florida Southern College. She worked at Winter Haven Hospital for 27 years, most of them as the Charge Nurse for "Swann 7".

After retirement, Mary served as a nurse for Good Sheppard Hospice of Auburndale and then for the Haley Medical Center of Winter Haven. She was an active volunteer for the Florida Trail Association's Heartland Chapter, Theater Winter Haven's Box Office, and as a Kindergarten Aide. She enjoyed reading, baking, sewing, theatre, music, and participating in the Homemakers Social Club. Mary's absolute favorite thing to do was to spend time with her granddaughters and spoil them!

Mary is preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Blanche Fae (Delong) Ritchhart, sisters Virginia Power and Shirley Crosswhite, and brothers Robert, Leo, and Jerry Ritchhart. She is survived by sons William, Jeffery, and Todd, daughter Valerie, granddaughters Cristine and Emily, step-grandson Mario Muntes, and several nieces and nephews and their children.

Per Mary's wishes, there will be no funeral services. Please, no flowers – instead consider a donation in Mary's name to either the Florida Trail Heartland Chapter, Theatre Winter Haven, or the Alzheimer's Foundation. Steel’s Family Funeral Services