Karen Sue Ritchie

Karen Sue Ritchie, 85, of Paw Paw, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving family, on Sunday, July 19th, 2026. She was born on December 3, 1940, in Akron, Indiana, the daughter of Byron and Mildred (Hartzler) Thompson. She graduated from Akron High School in 1958 before earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Huntington College and her Master’s Degree in History from Anderson College. While working at the local Akron diner, she met and fell in love with a handsome Navy Seaman, Amond Ritchie. They married on June 14, 1962 and had two daughters whom they loved very much. Teaching was Karen’s lifelong passion and calling. Throughout her career, she taught students from kindergarten through junior high, spending the final 14 years of her career as a dedicated fourth-grade teacher before retiring in 2004. She found great joy in helping children learn and grow, and the lives she touched through education will be a lasting part of her legacy. Karen found happiness in the simple things of life. She enjoyed working in her flower gardens, taking walks, playing the piano, teaching Sunday school, reading, shopping, and of course spending time with her beautiful family. What she valued most, however, was her relationship with Jesus, and Christ was exemplified in the way she lived her life. She was kind, thoughtful, and loved others well. Karen is survived by two daughters, Robin (Michael) Griffin and April Kaiser; grandchildren, Valerie (Brian) Reed, Wesley (Rayanne) Kaiser, Jameson Griffin and Ellie Griffin; great grandchildren, Kenlee Kaiser and Coraline Reed; sibling Stuart Thompson; nephews Carl Thompson and Carter Thompson. In addition to her parents, Karen is preceded in death by her husband, Amond, and son-in-law, Darrin Kaiser. Visitation will be from 4-7 P.M. Thursday, July 23, 2026, at the Torman Funeral Home, 510 Flagg Street, in Paw Paw. The funeral service will take place at 11:00 A.M. Friday, July 24, 2026, at the Torman Funeral Home with Pastor Ken Foster officiating. A graveside service will take place at 12 Noon on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at Akron Cemetery in Akron, Indiana. Share a memory also at: https://www.tormanfuneralhome.com/karen-sue-ritchie/ In lieu of flowers, contributions in Karen’s memory may be directed to Granny Rose Animal Shelter grannyroseanimalshelter.org or Samaritan's Purse samaritanspurse.org

Karen Sue Ritchie

December 3, 1940 - July 19, 2026