Born in Shelby, Montana to Horace and Effie Bell on June 13, 1934. Nadyne grew up with her family in Cutbank during the later years of the Great Depression and World War II. These times would shape who she became as a person forging close family bonds, becoming a generous and cheerful giver to others and her community, and learning the value of hard work and self-reliance.

When Nadyne was 10 years of age her mother passed away from pneumonia. As the eldest of 5 children she took on considerable responsibility in caring for her 3 younger brothers and younger sister. When she was entering the 6th grade her family moved to Great Falls following her mother’s death in 1944. Her father remarried Paula Johnson and three more brothers were added increasing the family to 8 children.

Upon moving to Great Falls she attended West Junior High School and Great Falls High School, graduating with the class of 1952. As a new graduate, she worked as a secretary at Rice Motors before marrying Frank Ritter in 1953. Being a skilled carpenter, Frank built a new home together with Nadyne, where she dedicated her life to raising her three children: Dan, Kellee, and Brett. She became a mentor to the next generation as her children grew as a volunteer leader for Cub Scouts, Bluebirds and Campfire Girls.

 Being an excellent homemaker, she was fondly known for her wonderful culinary skills, which she enjoyed sharing by entertaining her friends and extended family. Nadyne was an avid bridge player, from which she developed many life long friends with whom she shared her love for cooking by preparing scrumptious desserts.

Nadyne was a member of the Rainbow Garden Club, where her love for flowers and gardening was cultivated. Her home was often graced with fresh cut roses, pussy willows, or poppies. While she worked hard in her home and community, Nadyne acquired a taste for the arts, which showed throughout her home and her collections of pottery, paintings, and bronzes. Her passion for collecting artwork ignited inspiration within other family members and friends to also take similar interests. Trips to the Annual Russell Art Auction & Show were always looked forward to. She also introduced many to the joys of the performative arts by taking them to live theater at the Bigfork Summer Playhouse.

In the 1940’s her uncle acquired a transportation company in Nevada of which she would later become a shareholder and a member of the Board of Directors. As the company grew and prospered one area that she was able to give generously to was the educational needs of others. Nadyne’s generous nature especially shone through in a particular instance when she learned that her grandchild’s art program was being canceled due to lack of available funds. Her love of the arts and a belief that an appreciation of art was necessary to a well-rounded education motivated her to provided the funding needed to maintain having an art teacher at the school.

She was a dedicated benefactor to many other local community causes and institutions including the C M Russell Museum, Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center, Great Falls Rescue Mission, Faith Lutheran Church, and Foothills Community Christian School.

In her later years Nadyne developed many health issues that lessened her independence. Through all the trials she remained as gentle and kind worded as ever, living up to her nickname of “Sweet Nadyne”, which she had been affectionately called by many.

Right up to her last moments on this earth, she was more concerned with other people’s needs and emotions more than she was for her own. Her journey here on earth was complete when “Sweet Nadyne” was lovingly called home on September 6th to be with Jesus, while surrounded by her family.

She is survived by her husband Frank Ritter, brothers Larry (Garnet) Bell, Jerry (Ann) Bell, Terry (Lynn) Bell, Tim (Linda) Bell, and sister Sharlene (Bill) Dugas, daughter Kellee (Ernie) Asmussen, daughter in laws Janell Ritter and Svetlana (Steve) Gordon, grandchildren Jeremy, Jamie and Beau Ritter, Nikolas (Brittney), Marquesa and Victoria Asmussen, great grandchildren Bonnie, Bret and Charlotte Asmussen, along with many nieces and nephews near and dear to her heart.

She was preceeded in death by her parents Horace and Effie Bell, stepmother Paula Bell, brothers Gary (Sandy) Bell, Jim (Michelle) Bell, sons Dan (Janell) Ritter and Brett (Svetlana) Ritter.

A memorial service will be held at Faith Lutheran Church (at the Columbus Center Chapel, 1601 2nd Ave. No., Great Falls, Montana) on September 23rd at 1:00 pm. Donations in her honor can be made to Faith Lutheran Church.

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