Violet Marie Elenz
March 27, 1935 ~ November 2, 2026
Born in:
Alta Vista, Iowa
Resided in:
Kansas City, Missouri
Violet “Vi” Marie (Ritchmond) Elenz (91) passed away on November 2, 2026 at the Hospice House, North
Kansas City Hospital, Missouri.
Services for Vi will be on Friday, November 13 th at Holy Family Parish, 919 NE 96 th St, Kansas City, MO
64155. Mass at 11:00 AM and reflections and refreshments at 12:00 PM in the basement meeting
room.
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; Kansas 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 entertain
and 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.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
Vi was such a giving, strong, and loving woman. She and Don were bright lights for me amid a chaotic childhood. I was blessed to have them as godparents. Vi always believed in me and helped me see that I could make any life for myself that I wished. She will be missed, though I am happy she is no longer in pain and reunited with Don. Sending love and peace to her entire family.