Frances Rittenhouse, age 82, of Hollister, MO

Frances Rittenhouse, age 82, of Hollister, Missouri, passed away on July 6, 2021. She entered this life May 22, 1939, in Kirbyville, Missouri, the daughter of Ernest and Goldie (Bessie) Thurman. She is preceded in death by her parents and husband, Stanley Rittenhouse.

Frances graduated as valedictorian from Branson High School before pursuing her bachelor’s degree in education and biology from the University of Missouri in Columbia. This began a lifelong career molding the minds of children for the Florissant, Missouri, and Tri-Lakes area school districts. With a servant’s heart, Frances devoted her time to Tiger Academy Kindergarten and founded the Frances Rittenhouse Learning Center through the Church Army (CORE). She was instrumental in establishing Parents As Teachers in Taney and Stone counties. Frances had a passion for children, science, and education. Away from her career, she enjoyed gardening, reading, crocheting, and baking bread. With a love for the outdoors and nature, Frances worked cattle, enjoyed hunting, and cared deeply for the land that provided so much for her family. Her family and community will miss her, yet her legacy lives on through the many young lives she has touched and educated throughout her lifetime. 

She is survived by her daughter, Rhonda Rittenhouse and partner, Terry Snowden of Hollister, Missouri; her sister, Freida Wills and husband, Ronald of Hollister, Missouri; her brother, Donald Rittenhouse of Hollister, Missouri; and her niece, Christina Wills and husband, Mike Nickels of Kansas City, Missouri.

A celebration of life will be held 10:00 a.m., Saturday July 10, 2021, at Victor Baptist Church, Branson, Missouri, with Pastor Kenny Robinette officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Frances Rittenhouse Memorial Scholarship c/o Tiger Academy in Hollister.  Services and cremation are under the direction of Cremations of the Ozarks. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.cremationsoftheozarks.com