ALYN THOMAS  RITTS , 73, of Washta, Iowa passed away suddenly, Thursday evening, November 15, 2018 at his home in Washta.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, November 19 ^th , at 2 p.m. at the Washta United Methodist Church. Pastor Barb Dinelli will officiate. Burial will be in the Sunset View Cemetery at Washta, Iowa.  There will be a family prayer service at 1:45 p.m. at the church on Monday. Visitation will be on Sunday from 1 p.m. until 7 p.m. with the family present from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Boothby Funeral Home in Cherokee, Iowa. The Boothby Funeral Home in Cherokee, Iowa is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences can be left at www.boothbyfuneral.com

Al was born March 10, 1945 at Cherokee, Iowa to Thomas C. & Zelda (Wheelock) Ritts. He graduated from Willow High School in 1964. On August 1, 1965 he was married to Sue Ekren in Cherokee, Iowa. Al had worked as a carpenter, a mechanic at Doug Samuelson's Garage, Keith Clark's Garage, Stevenson's Garage, Holzhauer Motors, Kingsley Motors and was the owner and operator of Al's DX in Washta for 26 years until his retirement in 2007. He had lived in Washta all of his life.

Al was a member of the Washta United Methodist Church where he had served on several of the church boards and committees. He had been a Cub Master for the Washta Cub Scouts for 10 years. Besides his family, racing was Al's passion.  He was the owner and mechanic of many race cars since 1982.  His race cars won "several races" and track championships at Alta and Park Jefferson Speedways.  He formed many great relationships with drivers, crew members, and fans over the years.

He was preceded in death by his father Thomas Clark Ritts, grandparents Tim and Laura Ritts, father and mother-in-law Selmer and Verda Ekren, brothers-in-law Wayne and Dennis Ekren, sister-in-law Janet Ekren.

He is survived by his wife Sue of 53 years; his three children: Diane Chen of Nashville, Tennessee; Daniel (Frances) Ritts of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Randall (Kellie) Ritts  of LeMars, Iowa; 9 grandchildren: Anthony (Sabrina) Chen, Tim (Ta'Nesha) Chen, Jake (Elaine) Chiupka, Zachary Chiupka, Elizabeth Koskie, Samantha (Michael) Ritts, Jessica Ritts, Miranda Ritts, Andrew Ritts; 5 great grandchildren: Jalen, Jett, Aiden, Marcella, and Raven; his mother Zelda Ritts Pechota of Ormond Beach, Florida; sisters and brother: Diana (Terry) Schaack of Ormond Beach, Florida; Teresa (Charles) Harrington of South Carolina; Pat Mann of Ormond Beach, Florida; James (Kelly) Pechota of Texas; also numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.