Nancy Ritchie

Nancy Lee (Keene) Ritchie, of Warsaw, and formerly of Buchanan, Mich., went home to be with her Lord at 3:13 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024, at the age of 83. She passed away at home surrounded by her loved ones.

She was born on Nov. 3, 1940, in Valparaiso, to Merle Lorene (Hanrahan) and Edward Keene. Nancy spent her youth in the town where she was born and graduated from Valparaiso High School. It was there that she met her lifelong best friend, Ethel (Weidmann) Giesler. Nancy went on to attend Indiana University in Bloomington.

She worked for the Porter County Road Commission then the Porter County Courthouse. Later she and her husband, Gene, opened the 711 Cycle & Sport Shop in Chesterton. In 1972, Gene found a piece of property in Buchanan, Mich., that would set the course for their family’s future. He and Nancy, with the help of friends and family, founded “Redbud Motocross,” which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2023. Redbud has hosted some of the largest motocross events in the world. What Gene and Nancy were most proud of are all of the memories created at Redbud for so many generations of racers and families.

Nancy was a bit shy but connected with many friends over the years. She dearly loved her children and later enjoyed being a grandmother. Spending time with family was the most loved part of her life; they were everything to her. She was deeply loved and will forever be missed by many.

She leaves behind her son, Tim (Stephanie) Ritchie, Buchanan, Mich.; and two daughters, Amy Ritchie, Niles, Mich., and Angie Wagner, Warsaw. Also surviving are her brother, Delos Keene, Ormond Beach, Fla.; and her seven beloved grandchildren, Dalton, Peyton, Madelyn, Maxwell, Evan, Jacob and Sidney. Nancy’s first great-grandchild, Wrenlee Jo Wagner, began her life on this earth just hours after Nancy completed hers. She was preceded in death by her parents; and by her husband, Gene Ritchie.

Nancy’s Celebration of Life will be held from 2-5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 28, at Orchard Hills Country Club, 2841 Niles-Buchanan Road, Buchanan, Mich.

She will be buried at Kimball Cemetery in Valparaiso. Arrangements were entrusted to Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to RedBud Area Ministries, 708 N. Red Bud Trail, Buchanan, MI 49107, or to Life Action Ministries, 2727 Niles-Buchanan Road, Buchanan, MI 49107.

Online condolences may be sent through the funeral home’s website at redpathfruthfuneralhome.com.