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Rita A. Elking January 9, 1923 - May 19, 2020

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Rita A. Elking, 97,
of New Bremen died on Tuesday, May 19, 2020, at 4:00 PM at the Heritage Center in Minster where she had resided for the last 9 years. She was born on January 9, 1923 in Wendelin, Ohio, the daughter of the late Stephen and Elisabeth M. (Miller) Wendel. On January 9, 1946, she married Louis M. Elking, who died on October 24, 1981. Surviving are her children: James (Pam) Elking of Miamisburg, Michael (Lois) Elking of New Bremen, Edith (Ron) Schwartz of New Bremen, Joyce (Roger) Moubray of Tipp City, Diana (Steve) Hartwig of New Bremen, and Jeffery (Shirley) Elking of New Bremen. Also surviving are her seventeen grandchildren, thirty one great-grandchildren (with one on the way), and one great-great grandson. Along with her parents and husband, Rita was preceded in death by a great-granddaughter, and all of her siblings: Theresia (August) Beumer, Mary (Werner) Roeckner, Aloys (Armella) Wendel, Raymond (Cecila) Wendel, Ida (Basil) Pease, Adolph (Leona) Wendel, Alma (Leo) Kaiser, Alvina (Hugo) Laux, Wilma (Louis) Knapke, and Armella (William) Timmerman.

Rita attended school at St. Henry. Growing up on the farm, she was responsible for the care of the work horses, making sure they were fed and groomed. In her late teens, she became a housekeeper for a family in Dayton, and later worked for Mersman Furniture Company in Celina. After her marriage to Louis, she became a full time farm wife and mother. She embraced the farming lifestyle, raising chickens, tending to the cattle, and she also grew a huge garden to feed her family. At the age of sixty, she began working in the cafeteria at New Bremen Schools until she retired in 2003 after 20 years of service. Spending time with her family at the holidays was always special to Rita, and she always made specialized gifts for each of the grandchildren. As a member of the Church of the Holy Redeemer in New Bremen, Rita was a woman with a deep Christian faith and her devotion to Mary was an integral part of who she was.

A Memorial Mass will be held on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 at 11:00 A.M. at the Church of the Holy Redeemer in New Bremen, with Rev. Fr. Thomas Dorn and Deacon Mr. Greg Bornhorst officiating. Inurnment will follow in the Precious Blood Cemetery, Chickasaw, Ohio. There will be one hour of calling prior to the Mass at the church on Wednesday. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the L&R Elking Scholarship Fund (In care of The New Bremen Foundation: P.O. Box 97, New Bremen, Ohio 45869), or to the St. Peter’s Neurological Center (78 W. Main Street, Burkettsville, Ohio 45310). The Memorial Mass will be live streamed on the church YouTube channel and Facebook page, which can be found through the church website: www.hrcatholic.org for those who are unable, or choose not to attend.

A Memorial Mass will be held on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 at 11:00 A.M. at the Church of the Holy Redeemer in New Bremen, with Rev. Fr. Thomas Dorn and Deacon Mr. Greg Bornhorst officiating. Inurnment will follow in the Precious Blood Cemetery, Chickasaw, Ohio. There will be one hour of calling prior to the Mass at the church on Wednesday. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the L&R Elking Scholarship Fund, or to the St. Peter’s Neurological Center. The Memorial Mass will be live streamed on the church YouTube channel and Facebook page, which can be found through the church website: www.hrcatholic.org for those who are unable, or choose not to attend.

Condolences(14)

  1. REPLY
    Lori Garman says
    May 21, 2020 at 6:21 pm

    Steve and Diane,
    My heart is with you during this difficult time of God’s blessings. Prayers for you both sincerely and for you entire families
    Sending Hugs to you both!!❤

  2. REPLY
    Brian R James says
    May 21, 2020 at 7:33 pm

    Pam and Steve so sorry to hear of Mrs. Elking’s passing. May you find peace in your precious memories. Brian R James

  3. REPLY
    Kathleen Berry says
    May 21, 2020 at 9:03 pm

    Diana, Steve and Family, I was so sorry to read about the loss of your Mom. Please know I will be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. Virtual hugs from Cleveland!

  4. REPLY
    Irene Rose says
    May 21, 2020 at 9:07 pm

    My thoughts and prayers are with your family, beautiful memories of your Mother
    I will be you in Prayer watching the services.Thank You Irene Rose

  5. REPLY
    Rose @ Ernie Rohrer says
    May 22, 2020 at 10:21 am

    Praying for the whole family, will be celebrating her life with all. our deepest sympathy.

  6. REPLY
    Annette Wortman says
    May 22, 2020 at 1:33 pm

    Aunt Rita witnessed many things in her 97 years and she lived it all. This beautiful and petite woman seemed so quiet and always had a smile on her face. One of my most recent memory includes when we were talking at an Elking reunion. As she looked at my nametag, she said “I’m an old lady and can’t read your name. You need to replace it with one I can read.” It seemed out of character to me, but it left a lasting impression. I now always print my name boldly on any nametag! She was quiet but you listened when she spoke.
    Hopefully all your memories will be happy ones and put a smile on your face.
    Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. She is at peace.

  7. REPLY
    Roger and Cheryl Barlage says
    May 22, 2020 at 5:29 pm

    Our sympathy in the passing of your mother. Sending prayers and hoping you find comfort in all the memories.

  8. REPLY
    Tami Baird says
    May 22, 2020 at 8:13 pm

    Diana, Steve and family,
    Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you in the passing of your mother and grandmother. May God bless you all with peace and positive memories.
    -The Baird Family

  9. REPLY
    Don & Jacqui says
    May 23, 2020 at 2:48 pm

    Jacqui and my condolences to all of you in your time of loss. Her having a very long life, hopefully helps in the healing.

  10. REPLY
    Juanita Beumer Klosterman says
    May 25, 2020 at 12:33 pm

    Condolences to the family. I have very fond memories of your mother, my Aunt Rita. She was the sweetness person, loved her smile, always smiling. Hugs to the family.

  11. REPLY
    Jim & Paulette Hemmelgarn says
    May 26, 2020 at 10:53 am

    A message of sympathy, comfort, and caring in the passing of your mother. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Elking family during this difficult time. Wishing peace to all.

  12. REPLY
    Pat and Vic Klosterman says
    May 26, 2020 at 9:11 pm

    So sorry we will not be attending Aunt Rita’s memorial mass. We will try to watch the services. Please know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers. Though our families did not get together very often,
    I do have lots of wonderful memories of both your mother and father and spending time at the farm!

  13. REPLY
    Deand and Kate Hartwig says
    May 27, 2020 at 10:01 am

    So very sorry to hear of your mom, grandma, great-grandma, great-great grandma’s passing. Her journey is now complete on earth and her life in heaven has begun. What a legacy she has left! Thoughts and prayers are with you all! Dean and Kate Hartwig

  14. REPLY
    michael hemmelgarn says
    May 29, 2020 at 4:51 pm

    Joyce and Roger. So sorry to hear about the passing of your mother. At least she was blessed and able to lead a long life. I hope it all works out ok for you and the family

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