It was said Tag's smile was as wide as the state of Montana,
we will miss that smile.
Tag finished his education at Helena High School in 1947, spending winters in town and summers back working at the ranch. After graduation Tag returned to the ranch to work full time raising cattle with his father and uncles. He took up hunting and trapping and started building muzzle loaders. He was an excellent shot with those black powder rifles and won many trophies over the years. He was a published writer of articles and books. If he had an interest, he would make it happen. Tag had a good life on the ranch, his passion for archaeology was piqued every day with the artifacts he collected at the ranch. One of his favorite stories was finding the cave with his friends. The cave was a constant fascination for him and over the years he would delight on every new discovery that was uncovered within those stony walls. In 1955, Tag met Lyla Karlson. They were married and had four children: John, Jeri, Lori and Eric. Eventually, his parents retired and he took over the ranch. After raising cattle for a few years, Tag turned his interest to his true passion of outfitting. Lyla and the kids all took part in the guest ranch and outfitting business. In the summers, Tag led his children and neighbor kids on many adventurous pack trips and camping trips throughout the area exploring lost trails and mountain tops. In the fall, he would pack up the mules with Mike Bay, John Rittel and Dude Smith and head to hunting camp in the Bob Marshall Wilderness and then later into his Lincoln Scapegoat camp. After Lyla died in 1982, Tag changed to outfitting at the ranch. He met and married his second wife, Sandra Renner. They built the lodge and cabins at the ranch. Tag spent time raising paint horses, entertaining guests with the stories of his adventures and teaching his grandkids to hunt, fish and ride and continued the story telling to them. Tag and Sandra spent many years running the guest ranch and traveling to their home in Ajo, Arizona in the winter. They met numerous new friends and acquaintances. Tag continued his archaeology hobby out searching the desert for artifacts, before returning to the ranch in the spring to raise his beloved paint horses.
Tag is survived by his wife Sandra, his children, John Rittel III, Jeri Rittel, Lori Rittel, and Eric Rittel, his grandchildren, Corey Collins, Troy Ford, Kyle Ford, Jacqueline Malatare, Maggie Rittel, Will Rittel, Trew Rittel and Tag Rittel, and his great grandson Chase Collins, and many nieces & nephews, and his son-in law Mitch Lefebvre and Mitch’s family. He is preceded in death by his first wife Lyla Karlson, his parents Frank and Minnie Rittel and his sister Marybelle Rittel Smith.
We will be celebrating his life at the ranch on Sunday, October 23rd at 2:00 p.m.
Join us if you can.
The song is ended but the melody lingers on…
–Irving Berlin