Marita E. Dykes

Marita E. Dykes, lovingly known as Mama Ritie, passed away on February 17 at the age of 82. Born in Neuss, Germany in 1942, she brought to her world immense warmth, big laughs, great food and an undeniable spirit of generosity. In 1960, she welcomed her beloved daughter, Gabriele "Garby" Branaman, her pride and joy. In 1967, she took a bold step and immigrated to the United States, eventually finding her home in Bull Shoals, Arkansas. Her first 20 years in Bull Shoals were spent cooking and managing award-winning restaurants in Lakeview and Bull Shoals. She proudly became a U.S. citizen in 1996, but her German roots remained a strong part of her identity, most notably through the way she nourished her family with butter and potato-laden dishes and traditions. 

Mama Ritie had the temperament and passion to become a talented chef. Trained in Germany, she made extraordinary meals that were heavily influenced by both Germany and the American South, and food was the heartbeat of her family. She made sure her grandchildren knew the joys and trials of the restaurant world, the value of improvised recipes and the magic of a family meal. Conversations around the table often circled back to crazy kitchen stories and German relatives; her influence turned her entire family into foodies with a fondness for Europe, a legacy that continues with her great grandchild, Lucian. Ritie also held a deep respect for the American Air Force, which brought her and her great love, Don Dykes, together as friends in the 1960s near Hahn Air Base in Lautzenhausen, Germany. In 1995, Don and Ritie reunited in retirement and married in their home in Bull Shoals. Don embraced her family completely as his own, and together they shared a deep love of family, travel and the “whole dam area.” She made several trips back to Germany to visit family and spent the remainder of her golden years helping her daughter with Gabriele’s Flowers and Fibers. 

Mama Ritie was also a particularly fun grandmother who held onto her youthful spirit her entire life. She was a lucky gambler ready to regale you with stories from impromptu casino trips. She was also a Swiftie and a fashionista who loved the Chiefs, hip hop and Saturday Night Live. She stayed up to date on all things current while keeping her hands busy with woodcarving and never-ending knitting projects. Her grandchildren were the lucky recipients of her lovingly made sweaters, hats and socks-though, in true Ritie fashion, one sock was often twice the size of the other, a family joke that will live on in fond memory. Ritie’s laugh filled a room and her German accent never faded; her spirit really was larger than life and will be deeply and forever missed. She leaves behind a family that adored her, a home filled with vibrant memories and a legacy of love, laughter and incredible meals. 

She is survived by her daughter, Gabriele Branaman of Flippin, AR; grandsons, Ryan (Lea Hawkins) Branaman of Bull Shoals, AR and Dustin (Mimi Johnson) Branaman of Conway, AR; granddaughter, Tatum (Rémi Predal) Branaman of Atlanta, GA; great grandson, Lucian Branaman of Bull Shoals, AR; niece, Nicky Brülin of Kaarst, Germany, nephews Oliver (Heike Schlichting) Brülin of Willich, Germany and Guido Brülin of Erfttal, Germany; and countless chosen family members and fellow knitters.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Omi Ottilie Brülin, her husband, Don Dykes, her favorite son-in-law, Ron Branaman, and her brother, Uli Brülin. 

In honor of her memory, the family encourages all who knew her to share a heavy meal, toast to a life well-lived and never forget the joy of coming together.  In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Ron Branaman Pollinator Garden/Outdoor Classroom at the Crooked Creek Conservation District Office-East, 302 4th St, Yellville, AR 72687. 

A Celebration of Life for Marita will be 2:00 pm, Monday, February 24, 2025, at Kirby & Family Funeral Home Chapel - Bull Shoals, with Heather Marsalis, Celebrant officiating. Family will receive friends after the service to share stories and memories.