Carole L. Rittenhouse

Carole Lillian Rittenhouse, 92, of Rockford, IL, passed away after a long illness on January 4th, 2026. 

Carole was born in Chicago on December 17th, 1933, to her parents, Elmer A. and Alvera Burkhardt. 

Although Carole moved with her family to Rockford in the mid 70’s, she always remained a loyal Chicagoan. She was a proud graduate of Amundsen High School in Chicago and went on to attend the Chicago Art Institute.

Carole married her childhood sweetheart, Donald “Al” Rittenhouse, in 1954. They met in grammar school in Chicago and were married for 65 years until Al passed away in 2019.

Carole was an accomplished artist, a gracious entertainer, and a gifted cook. Carole hosted countless gatherings for family and friends. She took great pride in her three daughters and was a devoted and wonderful mother. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to her longtime caretaker, Yunuen Perez, for her loving and devoted care over the past ten years.

Carole is survived by her daughters, Cindy (Mark Fatheree) Rittenhouse, Cherri (Josef Schwaiger) Rittenhouse, and Christyn Rittenhouse; and her grandchildren, Sofia Josefina Schwaiger and James Crawford-Rolt.

She is also survived by her extended family, The Miller Family; Warren, Joanna, Anna (Hodes), Sarah & John (Dearie) of New York City & Daniel Miller of San Francisco; The Mitsdarfer family; Merry, Maria & Keith (Jose) of California & Gina Mitsdarfer of Texas; and The Bochat Family; Allen & Diane, Ronald & Diane, and Craig & Donna of Chicago.

Carole was predeceased by her husband, Donald Allen Rittenhouse; her parents, Elmer and Alvera Burkhardt; her beloved aunt and fairy godmother, Auntie Mil Felton, as well as her in-laws, William A. and Ethel Rittenhouse.

The family is planning a Celebration of Life at a later date.