Ward, Rita Mae (Ferring) 1923- 2013

WARD, FERRING, HASS, GEHRIG, SCHULTE, HALVORSON, QUANDAHL, WEIS, MOORE

Posted By: Regina Schulte Riesen
Date: 8/14/2013 at 13:11:11

WAUKON, Iowa — Rita Mae Ward, 90, died Wednesday, June 12, 2013, at Veteran’s Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Patrick’s Catholic church with burial in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. today at Hanson’s Funeral Home, Waukon.

*La Crosse Tribune, 6/14/2013

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Longer obit & photo, added by Mary Durr, 8/23/13:

Rita Mae Ward, 90, of Waukon, passed away Wednesday, June 12, 2013 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon after a long illness. Funeral services were held Saturday, June 15 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon, with Fr. Joseph Schneider officiating. Burial was in Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery, Waukon.

Pallbearers were Robert, Dennis, Patrick, Gerald, Thomas and Scott Ward. Honorary pallbearers were her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Hanson Funeral Home of Waukon assisted the family with arrangements.

Rita was born May 18, 1923 to Leo and Florence (Haas) Ferring in rural Waukon. After graduating from school with a teaching degree, she taught in various Allamakee County schools.

Rita married Lawrence Ward March 25, 1943, and together they operated the family farm. They had 14 children and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. Rita loved her family dearly, her many grandchildren were a great joy to her! Rita loved playing cards, always greeted you with a smile, and left a lasting impression upon those she met. She will be missed by many.

Rita is survived by her children, Carole (Jim) Gehrig of LaCrescent, MN, Mary Lou Schulte of Waukon, Lorna Mae (Ed) Halvorson of Elkhart, IN, Diana Ward of Waukon, Julie Quandahl of Spillville, Nancy (Steve) Weis of Decorah, Robert (Elaine) Ward of Decorah, Dennis (Connie) Ward of California, Patrick Ward of Waterville, Gerald Ward of New Mexico, Thomas (LuAnn) Ward of Calmar, and Scott (Julie) Ward of Sioux Falls, SD. She is also survived by a brother, William (Karen) Ferring of Waukon; a sister, Virginia Moore of New Albin; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence, in 2004; her sons, Kenneth and Kevin; her parents; a son-in-law, Gene Schulte; her sisters, Jean and Cecelia; a brother, Msgr. Robert Ferring; and two infant grandchildren.

6/19/2013, Waukon Standard

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