Rev. Mark Rittmann

Rev. Mark Rittmann, 66, of Warren, MN, passed away unexpectedly in his home, on Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 2019.

Mark Douglas was born on December 18, 1952, in Minneapolis, MN, to Robert and Phyllis (Miller) Rittmann. He was raised in the city with his two older siblings. He especially looked up to his brother, Roger, who sadly passed away in 1970; the same year Mark graduated from Central High School. Mark loved to sing and play guitar and ended up traveling the country, performing in pubs alongside an “old Irishman” named Steve. He also somehow found time to graduate with a degree from Concordia University, St. Paul. In 1972, he was married to Mary Henningsgaard, with whom he would raise three daughters, and entered the US Air Force, serving his country while stationed in Spokane, WA, and Anchorage, AK.

After discerning his call to be a Pastor, Mark enrolled at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN, where he studied for the Missouri Synod. Following his graduation with a masters degree in Divinity in 1983, he accepted a positions in Centralia, IL, Grand Junction, CO, Santa Fe, NM, Ft. Morgan and Broomfield, Co. He was married to Karen Haarsager in 1998, and moved to Warren in 2002, where their two children were raised. He was a pastor locally at both First Lutheran and Our Savior's Lutheran Church for the ELCA.

Rev. Rittmann's pride was in his sermons. He enjoyed sharing the Good News through both teaching and song. After a series of strokes, Mark had to step back from his ministry; but his love for the Lord remained strong. He learned well how to lean on the Lord in his struggles in recent years and to always remember His mercy. He will be lovingly remembered by his family for the order of his priorities: God, his children, and Gopher sports- in that order. He particularly enjoyed basketball and did his best (sometimes successfully, sometimes not) to install his love for the game in his kids.

He is survived by his children, Rebecca (Cory) Smith, Kelli Kopp, Sarah Waline-Rittmann; Julie Rittmann, and Erich Rittmann; eleven grandchildren; a niece, Lisa; two nephews, Jason and Mike; and his former wives, Mary and Karen.

Mark was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Phyllis; brother, Roger; and sister, Toni Borwege.

FUNERAL SERVICE: Friday, December 6, 2019, at 11:00 AM, in Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Warren, MN.
VISITATION: One hour prior.
MILITARY HONORS: Warren American Legion, Post #27; and the Minnesota Honor Guard.