Charlotte Ringer, 88, of Medicine Lodge, died Oct. 10, 2024, at Medicine Lodge Memorial Hospital, after being in Interim Hospice Care.

Charlotte was born on Nov. 11, 1935, at Clearwater. She was the youngest child of Carl E. And Mae Becker.

She was raised on a Holstein cattle farm, so she learned how to handle hard work from a young age. Little did she know that later on in life, she would find herself in love with Mr. Ronald Lloyd Ringer, who was raised on a farm that milked Guernsey cows. Back in those days, the raising of the two different types of cattle, and the fact that Ron was a Protestant, meant a forbidden marriage to some, but Ron and Charlotte’s love was stronger than the opinions of the social circle after they met at Rock Springs 4-H Ranch, 196 miles from home, although they only lived 6 miles apart.

They were married at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church in Schulte on Oct. 1, 1954. It was there that their two sons, Roger Lynn Ringer, born in 1955, and Rodney Lee Ringer, born in 1956, were baptized. Ron later joined his family as a member of the Catholic Church, where he was active in the Knights of Columbus of St. Boniface of Sharon, along with his two sons.

The family was active in the Registered Guernsey Association in the early years of their marriage. They moved to the Cheney area when raw milk was outlawed, where the couple became investors in Cream O Gold Dairy in Hutchinson and owned the Wichita distributorship, running five retail delivery routes.

Their next adventure involved Ron going to work for S.C. Johnson Company and traveling all over southwest Kansas, calling on warehouses and grocery stores. It was during this time that he fell in love with the Medicine Lodge area. He and son, Rodney, then opened a food brokerage company, and Charlotte served as the business’s secretary, as long as they owned the business. Ron, Charlotte and Rodney then purchased the R&R Liquor Store in Wichita, sold it, and purchased the Sportsman Wine & Spirits Store in Garden Plain.

After buying land in Barber County, the store was sold and a new home was built for their new adventure, which was running the Bunkhouse Bread and Breakfast located 10 miles north of Medicine Lodge. There, Charlotte used her incredible cooking and homemaking skills as she welcomed guests from 47 states, 30 different countries, and more than 250 towns in Kansas. No one ever went away hungry or feeling unloved when Charlotte was in charge.

Besides being a secretary for the family’s businesses, Charlotte was an active member of the 4-H clubs and Catholic Women’s Altar Society organizations wherever they lived. She loved being a part of the EHU group in Barber County and leaves behind many good friends and memories of time spent with “her ladies.”

Surviving are one son, Rodney Ringer of Medicine Lodge; her older sister, Gladys Kerschen of Wellington; her older brother, Charles Becker of Schulte; and a host of beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and one son, Roger Ringer.

Rosary service was held at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Medicine Lodge, on Sunday, Oct. 13, at 6 p.m. Visitation was be at the church from 4 p.m. until the start of the rosary.
Mass of Christian Burial was held on Monday, Oct. 14, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, Schulte. Burial followed at St. Peter’s Cemetery, Schulte.

Memorials may be made to St. Peter’s Cemetery or Holy Rosary Catholic Church, in care of Larrison Funeral Home, 120 E. Lincoln, Medicine Lodge, KS 67104.

Condolences may be left at www.larrisonmortuary.com.