Violet “Vi” Marie (Ritchmond) Elenz (91) passed away on November 2, 2026 at the Hospice House, North Kansas City Hospital, Missouri.
Vi was born March 27, 1935, the second of four children to Earl and Eunice (Kutzbach) Ritchmond. Vi graduated from Alta Vista High School in 1953. Vi met her future spouse, Don Elenz, at a dance in Alta Vista and they were married at the catholic church in North Washington on February 22, 1954. The couple resided in Alta Vista & New Hampton, IA; Salina, KS; Des Moines, IA; Kanas City, MO; Holiday Island, AR; Sun City, AZ; and last Gladstone, MO.
Vi had a varied career- Interior Designer for Sears in Kansas City; Human Resource specialist for Farmland Industries in Kansas City; and as a Client Relations representative for Shook, Hardy and Bacon Law Firm in Kansas City. Vi was always busy and managed the relocation of the family when her husband Don got transferred. Vi was involved in church and community activities – President of Ladies Auxiliary of Knights of Columbus; Red Hat Society; Ladies Auxiliary Firemen’s Association, Neighborhood Watch and a volunteer with the Senior Companion program. Vi was very social and liked to entertainand to travel – she enjoyed gatherings with her siblings.
Vi is survived by her six children, Cindy (Bruce) Nightingale, Kansas City; Steve Elenz, Kansas City; Marty Elenz, Charlotte, NC; Janine Elenz Calhoun, Kansas City; Nolan Elenz, Charlotte, NC; and Karla Elenz (Mark) Lundy, Kansas City. Grandchildren: Blair Lott, Alisha Hayes, Nick Martinez, Joey Martinez, Shane Elenz, Chase Elenz, Megan Calhoun, Paige Calhoun, Miles Calhoun and Halley Calhoun – and seven great grandchildren. Vi is also survived by her brothers, Gene (Donna) Ritchmond, McGregor, TX and Don (Diana) Ritchmond, Vancouver, WA. She also leaves many nieces and nephews that all have their own memories of Aunt Vi.
Vi was preceded in death by her parents Earl and Eunice Ritchmond, her husband Don Elenz, her sister Deloris Ritchmond Boss and brother-in-law Paul Boss.
Services for Vi will be on Friday, November 13th at Holy Family Parish, 919 NE 96th St., Kansas City, MO 64155. Mass at 11:00 AM and reflections and refreshments at 12:00 PM in the basement meeting room
