Marilyn Wilson Ritter of Kennett, Mo., departed this life on earth to join her heavenly father Wednesday, March 2, 2011, at the age of 88.

She was born June 13, 1922, in Desloge, Mo., to the late Luther and Bessie Wilson. She and James A. Ritter were married July 5, 1955. James preceded her in death.

Survivors include a daughter, Lynne Geary and husband Lanny of Kennett; a son, James Douglas Ritter of Cape Girardeau; six grandchildren, Katelyn and Samantha Geary of Kennett, Jim, John, Hunter and Connor Ritter of Cape Girardeau; special nieces, Jane Fielder of Springfield, Mo., Janet Steger of Cape Girardeau; other relatives and many friends.

Marilyn was preceded in death by four sisters, Ilah Wilson, Golda Eaton, Gladys Ritter and Betty Lanzetta; and a brother, Maurice Wilson.

She was a veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard, where she served as a pharmacist's mate and the SPAR band from 1944 to 1946. During her service in the Coast Guard she had the privilege of being one of the members of a military escort that marched in the funeral procession of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

After her honorable discharge, she served as a governess in Washington, D.C. She then was hired as one of the original six "Hormel Girls," which grew to a caravan of 60 ex-servicewomen that traveled the United States selling Hormel meat products to local grocery stores and performing a professional stage and radio show called "Music with the Hormel Girls." She served as the announcer for the group, which was broadcast nationally over CBS, NBC, ABC and Mutual Broadcasting radio networks.

Always interested in learning, she received a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Southeast Missouri State University while in her 50s. She also had a career as a towboat cook for Missouri Barge Line on the Mississippi River, and later in life became a certified nurse's aide and did home nursing care for the elderly.

She was a dedicated community volunteer and worked tirelessly for many causes. She worked for the Cape Girardeau Public Library, KRCU Public Radio, League of Women Voters, American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary. She was also a volunteer at the VA Clinic. She enjoyed socializing at the Senior Center in Cape Girardeau, where she had many friends.

Marilyn was very dedicated to her church, Good Shepherd Lutheran Chapel in Cape Girardeau, where she sang in the choir and participated in various church activities. She truly embraced Jesus as her savior and Lord and believed wholeheartedly that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. She will be missed by her many friends in the congregation and in the community and most of all by her family.

Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday at Good Shepherd Lutheran Chapel.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at the chapel, with Barry Pfanstiel officiating. Interment will be in Cape County Memorial Park.

Pallbearers will be James Douglas Ritter, Jim Ritter, John Ritter, Lanny Geary, David Valentine and Harold Meyr.

Memorials may be made to VNA Hospice of Southeast Missouri, P.O. Box 768, Kennett, MO 63857; Good Shepherd Lutheran Chapel, 1904 W. Cape Rock Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701; or charity of your choice.

McDaniel Funeral Service of Kennett is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be made at www.mcdanielfuneralservice.com.