Rita C. Wieseler

Rita C. Wieseler, age 94 of Wynot, Nebraska died on Sunday, September 29, 2024 at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, SD.

Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, October 4, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Family (Sts. Peter & Paul) Catholic Church in Bow Valley with the Rev. Marcus Knecht officiating. Burial will be at Sts. Philip & James cemetery in St. James, Nebraska. Visitation will be on Thursday, at church, from 5-7:00 p.m. with a Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home in Hartington.

Pallbearers will be Michael Wieseler, Jerrod Elliot, Patrick Dysart, Jonathan Bauer, and Ryan Wieseler.

 Rita was born on June 27, 1930 to William and Clara (Ahlers) Eskens at her family home north of St. James. She grew up in the St. James area and graduated in 1948 from Holy Trinity High School in Hartington. She taught school, was a church organist, and enjoyed gatherings at Homewood Park. She met Marvin T. Wieseler at Sts. Philip and James church and they married on May 6, 1952. They moved to the Wieseler family farm south east of St. James where they would live out their lives. 

 Rita sang in the choir at Sts. Philip and James Parish, was a member of the Altar Society, and was later involved in the St. James Marketplace. She enjoyed playing the piano and accordion and tending her garden and baking. With her determination of faith, she made sure all 7 of her children attended Catholic School for 12 years. She exhibited a quiet strength that helped her weather the joys and hardships of farm life. 

 Rita is survived by seven children, Thomas (Vicky) Wieseler of Mt. Vernon, IA, Gary (Cindy) Wieseler of Leigh, NE, Dan Wieseler of Wynot, NE, Deanna (Larry) Bauer of McCook Lake, SD, Mary (Wayne) Elliot of Omaha, NE, Judy (Bruce) Wright of Beaumont, TX, Jan (Pete) Dysart of Richfield, MN; 16 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren; brother, William Eskens, Jr of Jefferson City, MO; and a sister-in-law Marlene Eskens of Coleridge.

 She is preceded in death by her parents William and Clara Eskens; her husband Marvin on 1/12/2020 at the age of 93 years; siblings Mary Ann Schurman, Arnold Eskens, Verena Bruening, and Alice Meyer; grandson, Nicholas Wieseler.