Sharon Louise Roggow Ritter of Rapid City, South Dakota, passed away peacefully in her apartment surrounded by family on October 26.

She was born on December 26, 1942, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, to Vernon A. and Vera M. (Miller) Roggow. She grew up in Gettysburg, South Dakota, and graduated from high school there in 1960. While in high school, she participated in 4-H, marching band, and Girls State. She was also invited to the inaugural ball for former Governor Lars Herseth. Sharon was very proud of this.

She attended SDSU as a chemistry major and went to work at Cargill Grain in Sioux City, Iowa. At Cargill she was involved in the economics of the freight train grain cars.

While in high school and college Sharon was known as something of a prankster. On one occasion she put a skunk pelt in a teacher's car. Another time she and some other students bounced steel ball bearings down the tile halls in the school building.

In 1963, Sharon married Frank Ritter, who was active-duty Air Force. They traveled to wherever he was stationed: Canada, Washington State, California, South Dakota, and Colorado. Along the way their daughter Stacey was born in 1967 and son Ron in 1969.

After Frank's retirement from the Air Force the couple moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana. They eventually returned to South Dakota, Settling in Rapid City.

Frank died June 10, 2007. Several years after his death, Sharon moved to a senior living apartment, where she made friends with other residents who shared her enthusiasm for singing and music.

Sharon is preceded in death by her parents, sister Gayl Freeborn, and husband Frank. She is survived by her daughter and son, grandchildren, nieces, and cousins.