Gerda Marie Ritter, 87, of Sweet Home died Sunday. She was born to Christ and Anine Nielsen in Tved, Denmark.

Gerda moved to Sweet Home in 1967 from The Dalles. Prior to that she had resided in Bridgeport, Washington; Bonneville and Westport. She grew up on Puget Island after immigrating to the US from Denmark. During WWII Gerda moved with her husband to several naval stations on the East Coast and the Great Lakes.

Gerda enjoyed needlework, sewing and gardening.

She is survived by her spouse, George R. Ritter, of Sweet Home; daughter, Susan M. Henriksson and husband Roger of Albany, NY; brothers, Robert and Eugene Nielsen of Poulsbo and Longview, WA; and sisters, Neta Sala and Mona Jenson of Portland and Clatskanie.

Gerda was preceded in death by brothers, Paul Nielson, Nels Nielsen, Gunnar Nielsen, Harry Nielsen, and Melvin Nielsen; and sisters, Marna Hovvie, Anna Dunmire, and Elsie Elssasser.

No services are scheduled at this time. Sweet Home Funeral Chapel will be handling the arrangements.