Andrea Stolba-Ritzke

Andrea Stolba-Ritzke

Moorhead, Minn.

Andrea Stolba-Ritzke, 58, Moorhead, Minn., passed away on Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022, at her family’s home in Minot, N.D.

Andrea was born July 8, 1964, in Minot, the daughter of F. Michael and Sue (Effertz) Stolba. She was raised and educated in Minot. Andrea twirled baton, danced, played volleyball and loved to sing with her grandfather Stanley Effertz.

Andrea married twice: first to Tony Daigneault, having two children; then to Bryan Ritzke on Oct 23, 1993, in Minot. They welcomed three children into their family via adoption. Moving to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Andrea ran an in-home daycare, and later homeschooled the four children for over 15 years. Andrea and Bryan converted to Reform Judiasm, and became involved at temple activities as teachers, choir singers and board members.

In 2012, Andrea and Bryan relocated to Fargo, N.D., where Andrea pursued her degree in psychology.

Andrea had a lifelong thirst for knowledge. A consummate researcher, she saw the early rise of the internet, and used it to the fullest! She was an artist, a creative personality that flowed over all mediums.

Andrea always reached out to help people, as a confidante, a mentor and a sympathetic ear. She bravely fought metastatic renal cancer for several years before succumbing while surrounded by her loving family.

Andrea is survived by husband, Bryan Ritzke; parents, F. Michael and Sue Stolba; children, Jason Ritzke, Zacheriah Ritzke, Elizabeth Barrett, Kayla Ritzke and Kaleasha Ritzke; grandchildren, Daniel Barrett, Kaden Ritzke and Joy Ritzke; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Andrea was preceded in death by Helene and Frederick Stolba, Elyssa Stolba-Daigneault, Stanley and Lois Effertz.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 9, at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home in Minot. The service will be livestreamed for the public to view and can be accessed by going to bit.ly/3qXP5Jo. Inurnment will follow the service at Rosehill Memorial Park in Minot. Those wishing to sign the online register and share memories may access the online obituaries section at (www.thompsonlarson.com).