William Peter "PETE" Ritzheimer passed away at his home in Bayview Friday, Jan. 28, 2011. He was born in Coeur d'Alene to Fred and Elinore (Halvorsen) Ritzheimer July 13, 1937.

Through his school years Pete was noted for his participation in all sports, especially baseball. As an adult, he spent a number of years playing Fast Pitch and Modified Fast Pitch, as a catcher for local teams. At an extremely early age his father taught him the love of hunting and fishing which he continued as long as his health allowed.

Pete served two years as a cook, in the U.S. Army, while stationed in Korea. Pete had a variety of jobs over the years but was most noted for working at Coca-Cola, LaVoie Distributing and finally the Washington-Idaho Laborer's Union. Pete's greatest joy was his family. He loved the stories of his great-grandfather arriving at Fort Coeur d'Alene, with the Army, and how the family settled in Coeur d'Alene.

He is survived by his wife, Marsha, at home; sons, Fred Ritzheimer (Tammy) of Hayden and Peter Paul Ritzheimer (Renee) of Post Falls; daughter Kimberly Ritzheimer of Aurora, Colo.; three step-sons, Ladd Serwat (Rita), David Serwat (Angie), all of Rathdrum, and Allen Serwat (Cari) of Ketchikan, Alaska. Pete has 11 grandchildren: Amber (Ritzheimer) Billingsley of Athol, Samantha (Ritzheimer) Williams (Brandon) of Post Falls, Katy Ritzheimer of Cheney, Wash., Kayla (Serwat) Eide (Tim) of Ketchikan, Richard Serwat of Anchorage, Alaska, Ladd Serwat (Carley) and Lindsey Ritzheimer of Coeur d'Alene, Lacey Serwat, Michael Serwat; two step-grandsons, Jesse Coe and Stephen Coe, all of Rathdrum; two great-granddaughters, Madilyn Billingsley of Bayview, Brooklyn Williams of Post Falls and sister Carol Ritzheimer of Portland, Ore.

He was preceded in death by his son, Michael Ritzheimer in 1986.

There will be no services at this time. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Kootenai Humane Society, 11600 North Ramsey Road, Hayden, ID, 83835.

Please visit Pete's online memorial and sign his guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.