Rita M. Wenthold

Rita Wenthold, age 83, of Calmar, Iowa, died on Monday, March 19, 2007, at her home, following a long illness. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 24, 2007, at Our Lady of Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Festina, Iowa with Monsignor Cletus Hawes officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call from 3:00-8:00 p.m. on Friday and on Saturday morning until 10:00 a.m. at the Festina Parish Center in Festina, Iowa. There will be a rosary at 4:00 p.m. and a scripture service at 7:00 p.m. The Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, French Chapel in Calmar, is in charge of arrangements. Rita Mary (Hageman) Wenthold was born on August 11, 1923, the daughter of Nick and Rosalia (Imoehl) Hageman near Festina, Iowa, on the family farm. Rita attended St. Mary’s Catholic School in Festina. She married Ervin Bernard Wenthold on May 18, 1949 at Our Lady of Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Festina. Rita and Ervin farmed near Festina for many years. Rita enjoyed sewing, canning, gardening, playing cards. She also enjoyed going places and visiting with friends and family and above all, especially loved her family and grandchildren. Rita was a member of Our Lady of Seven Dolors Catholic Church, St. Mary’s Rosary Society, Catholic Daughters of America, the American Legion Auxiliary and the Calmar Senior Citizen’s. Rita’s survivors include two daughters: Jolene Wenthold, Calmar, IA and JoAnn (Tom) Harry, Bernard, IA. Two sons: Gary (Diana) Wenthold, Mahwah, NJ and Alan (Ann) Wenthold, Fort Atkinson, IA. Eight grandchildren: Tina Harry, Dr. Jackie (Josh) Dykstra, Amber Wenthold, Justin Wenthold, Abby Buchheit, Lindsey Buchheit, Ashley Wenthold and Kiersten Wenthold. Five sisters: Florentina Hageman, Calmar, IA; Lucille A. Kruse, Waucoma, IA; Vera Kriener, Waucoma, IA; Dolores (Norbert) Kuennen, St. Lucas, IA; Sister Joan Hageman, Franciscan Order FSPA, LaCrosse, WI. Two brothers: Edwin Hageman, Calmar, IA; Victor (Elaine) Hageman, Des Moines, IA. Two sisters-in-law: Cleon Hageman, Calmar, IA and Pat Hageman, Decorah, IA. Rita was preceded in death by her parents: Nick and Rosalia Hageman, her husband: Ervin Wenthold on March 15, 1989, two infant sons: Dean and David Wenthold. Two brothers: Quentin Hageman and Ermin Hageman. One infant brother: Marcellus Hageman. Nine brothers-in-law: John R. Kruse and Greg Kriener, Frank (Margaret) Wenthold, Edward (Florence) Wenthold, Hugo Wenthold, Arnold Wenthold, Alphonse Wenthold, Rudy (Dorothy) Wenthold, and Hubert (Angeline) Wenthold. Five sisters-in-law: Kate (Tom) Malone, Bertha (Felix) Ehler, Emma (Tony) Lutkenhaus, Monica Wenthold, and Ethel (Rudy) Lutkenhaus.