[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 36 (Thursday, February 25, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E172]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             SHARON RITZMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ED PERLMUTTER

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 25, 2021

  Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Sharon 
Leatrice (Karr) Ritzman of Golden, Colorado who passed away on February 
8, 2021.
  Sharon's childhood was spent in Omaha, Nebraska. After graduating 
high school in Nebraska, Sharon went on to attend the University of 
Iowa. There she was an active member of Pi Beta Phi and graduated with 
a bachelor's degree in psychology. Shortly thereafter, Sharon married 
Vern Ritzman on August 28, 1965 in Omaha, NE. Following their wedding, 
Sharon accompanied Vern on his career path of family medicine, all the 
while holding a variety of meaningful positions herself. Sharon's 
accomplishments include chief operator for Northwestern Bell Telephone 
in Sioux City and Iowa City, Iowa; client advocate with the Colorado 
Job Corps; special assistant to the United States Air Force Red Horse 
Officer Corps at Osan Air Force Base in Korea ('68-'69 Pueblo 
Incident); healthcare quality assurance consultant for Northrop 
Corporation ('84 Saudi Arabia); office manager of Vern's practice, 
president of both the Clear Creek Valley and Colorado Medical Society 
Auxiliaries, and an advocate for child health issues through the 
American Medical Association.
  Sharon became active in the community in which she and Vern raised 
their family--Wheat Ridge, Colo. She owned a ladies' boutique, Stepping 
Out, where her daughter helped to manage the store and created memories 
there together until Sharon's retirement in 2004. During retirement, 
Sharon and Vern traveled the world and enjoyed time with their family 
and friends.
  Sharon was a devoted wife and loving mother and grandmother. Sharon 
is survived by her husband of fifty years Dr. Vern Ritzman; son Michael 
Ritzman of Breckenridge, Colo.; daughter Michelle (Matt) Spidell, of 
Glenwood Springs, Colo.; grandson Trevor Ritzman of Lakewood, Colo.; 
and furry granddaughters Daisy and Maya.
  I appreciate and thank her for her lifetime of service to our 
community.

                          ____________________