Hulda W. Ritz

Hulda Ritz (nee Frank) age 97 of Wyckoff, formerly of Wayne for over 45 years, passed Sunday, July 23, 2023.

She was born in Stetten, Germany to her parents August Rudolf Frank and Emilie Hedwig Steube. Hulda worked as household help in Germany as a young woman, and then as WWII started, she became a wireless operator in Berlin, Germany. After the war, she became secretary to the mayor of Stetten. This is where she met her husband Ernst Ritz. 

Hulda and Ernst married in 1950 and at the urging of an aunt and uncle, boarded the ship MS Italia and immigrated to the USA in November of 1956. Despite speaking no English, Hulda began working at Morningside Greenhouse in Haledon, NJ. At the same time, she maintained the bookkeeping for her husband and brother’s new home improvement company. 

Hulda began working at Bosland’s Florist in Wayne, NJ in 1967 until her retirement in 2010. She enjoyed being an instructor and Table leader for NJ School of Floral Design for many years. Hulda was also a member of St. Timothy Lutheran Church in Wayne for many years. 

Hulda was predeceased by her husband Ernst in August of 1970. She was also predeceased by her parents August and Emilie Frank, and her two brothers Franz Frank and Willy Frank. She is survived by her nephew Thomas Frank and his wife Louise, ang her great-nephew Paul Frank.