Rita M. Wannemacher
Cloverdale -- Rita M. Wannemacher, 97, the oldest native parishioner of St. Barbara's Catholic Church, Cloverdale, OH, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family at 8:20 a.m., June 11, 2015.  She was born May 20, 1918 to the late Charles and Veronica Burgei.  On June 15, 1938 she married Oscar Wannemacher, who preceded her in death on November 20, 1990.
A determined and hard-working student, Rita walked to school, except when her father took the children by horse and sleigh.  She also worked on her family's farm and continued that life as a farmer's wife after meeting Oscar, a handsome man, at a Hard Times Dance.  Together, Rita and Oscar worked side by side to maintain their successful grain and dairy farm where Rita continued to reside until her recent illness.
She loved the outdoors, driving the tractor, hoeing the garden, mowing the lawn, or feeding the animals.  Great pride was taken in surrounding her home and farm with plants and flowers, and inside she continued to bake, especially bread.  She loved to grocery shop and could prepare a wholesome meal on short notice.  Reading was another love, which she enjoyed each day after saying her daily three rosaries.  All of her family members have received an afghan, a remembrance of her busy hands.  And she remembered family and extended family with birthday cards and gifts on her favorite holiday-Christmas.  She was always ready for a party and thoroughly enjoyed Rita Fest-a celebration of her and a family gathering held on the farm.
Her legacy to her family is her love for them as well as her zest for life, her sense of humor and her resilience.  A wonderful example for her family is the reverence and love of God which she expressed daily with prayer and frequent attendance at Mass.  St. Barbara's Parish was very dear to her, and she looked forward to the construction and completion of the new church.  She attended the two previous churches and knew all of the previous pastors.  A most memorable time for her was visiting with Bishop Danny Thomas during the groundbreaking.
Rita was a sacristan and currently a member of the Cloverdale Garden Club, St. Barbara's Altar Rosary Society and the C.L. of C. Council #10.
Rita is survived by her four daughters:  Carol (Ken) Schortgen of Ottawa, Helen Weis of Columbus Grove, Diane Nienberg of Glandorf and Marita (Mark) Odenweller of Elida; a daughter-in-law:  Marilyn Wannemacher of Cloverdale; 17 grandchildren:  Marcia (Kevin) Swint of Sylvania, John (Tanya) Wannemacher of Long Beach, CA, Mary Kay (Rick) Smallcombe of Bluffton, Clare (Jude) Reter of Chicago, Erica (Rich) Zimmerman of Columbus, Lori (Terry) Porter of Columbus, Paul (Melissa Folen) Weis of Lima, Alex Weis of Columbus Grove, Brenda (Bill) Miller of Lima, Tammy (Mike) Diller of Bluffton, Scott Nienberg of Glandorf, Kurt Nienberg of Hilliard, Doug (Megan) Nienberg of Ottawa, Matthew (Jenn) Odenweller of Columbus, Jill (Jay) Anderson of Powell, Todd (Jessica Montgomery) Odenweller of Columbus, Ryan (Megan) Odenweller of Powell; 24 great-grandchildren; a brother:  Oscar (Betty) Burgei of Glandorf; and sisters-in-law:  Mildred Burgei of Waterloo, IN and Elsa Burgei of Glandorf.
She was preceded in death by a son:  Roger Wannemacher; 2 sons-in-law:  Melvin Nienberg and Eugene Weis; a great-grandson:  Henry Douglas Nienberg; 4 brothers:  Cletus Burgei, John Burgei, Robert Burgei and Vincent Burgei; and 3 sisters:  Clocinda Knippen, Anna Marie Reindel and Sister Mary Ermelinda C.PP.S.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 15, 2015 at St. Barbara Catholic Church, Cloverdale with Father Jerome Schetter officiating.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery.  Visitation will be Sunday from 2 to 8 p.m. at LOVE-HEITMEYER FUNERAL HOME, Jackson Township where a C.L. of C. and Altar Rosary Society rosary service will be held at 1:30 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be given to St. Barbara's Building Fund.  Condolences may be expressed at www.lovefuneralhome.com

---