Ethel R. Tritten

Ethel R. Tritten, 84, of the Town of Pine River, Lincoln County, passed away Sunday, April 12, 2026, at her home under the care of her family and hospice services. 

Ethel was born on January 28, 1942 in Wausau, daughter of the late Carl and Dorena (Jaeger) Dittmar. She married Harry 'Hans' Tritten on July 11, 1959. He preceded her in death on February 16, 2018. Ethel and Harry ran a dairy farm in the Town of Pine River for twenty years. In the 1950’s, Ethel and Hans started a sugar shack in Pine River. In 1979, Hans and Ethel sold their dairy farm. Hans went to work at the Woodchip Corporation while Ethel tended to their homestead. She had an enormous garden and loved working with the tomato plants and strawberry and raspberry patches. She also enjoyed canning all of the delicious vegetables and fruits she grew. Ethel worked a few local trade shows for Merrill Distributing and worked at Block’s Mink Farm seasonally for a couple years. 

Ethel spent many long weekends camping and fishing with Hans. She also enjoyed deer hunting and shot her last buck in 2024. She loved watching the wildlife in her backyard and four wheeling around the property. 

Ethel’s hobbies included quilting, crocheting, hunting, fishing and spending time with grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved making afghans and donated them to multiple charities including the Badger State games. Many of her children and grandchildren have had mittens and potholders gifted to them by Ethel. 

Survivors include her daughters, Cindy Krause (Dennis Goetsch) and Gail (Rob) Daley; grandsons, Anthony (Becky) Renken and Matthew (Ashley) Renken; great-grandchildren, Hunter and Harley Renken; step grandchildren, Joshua Daley, Nikole (Troy) Knight, Amy Krause, and Lori (Kurt) Wendt; step great-grandchildren, Elijah and Delilah Daley, Sawyer Knight, and Emily Wendt; sister Dory Madden; sister-in-law, Carol Dittmar; and many nieces and nephews. Ethel was preceded in death by her husband, Hans Tritten; parents, Carl and Dorena Dittmar; son-in-law, Larry Krause; and siblings, Donald ‘Fuzzy’ Dittmar, Gerald Dittmar, Edward Dittmar, Shirley Dittmar, Earl Dittmar, Marjorie Tritten, and Janice (Milton) Gibbens; and brother-in-laws, Ray Madden and Frank Tritten. 

The family would like to thank Aspirus at Home Hospice staff and the Aspirus Wausau Hospital I.C.U. for the kindness and support given to Ethel and her family. 

The memorial service will be held at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Bethany Lutheran Church – 174071 Church Rd., Aniwa, WI 54408. The family will receive friends beginning at 9:00 A.M. Saturday at the church. 

Taylor-Stine-Waid Funeral and Cremation, Merrill, is assisting the family. Online condolences are encouraged and may be made at www.taylorstinewaid.com