Rita M. Enneking, age 86 of Melrose, died Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2015, at Fairway Pines in Sauk Centre, after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held Saturday, Sept. 19, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Melrose with Rev. Marvin Enneking officiating. Interment was in the parish cemetery.
Rita Mary Scholz was born Dec. 7, 1928, in Elmdale Township, Morrison County, Minnesota, to Frank and Katherine (Shiller) Scholz. She got her teaching degree from St. Cloud State College. She taught at Cass Lake, Robbinsdale, and Melrose. Rita taught kindergarten at the public school in Melrose for over 25 years. On June 30, 1952 she married LaVerne “Vern” Enneking at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in St. Francis.
Rita was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Christian Mothers, Sts. Bernard and Elizabeth Council, Schanhaar-Otte VFW Post 7050 Auxiliary, and the Hospital Auxiliary. She also volunteered her time with Meals on Wheels. Rita enjoyed gardening, quilting, reading, bird watching, sewing, cooking, baking, and spending time with her family at the cabin.
Survivors include her children, Debra
(Barry) Wojtalewicz of
St. James, Linda (Len) Sabatini of Chillicothe, Ohio, Jane (Brad) Coulson of St. Michael, Lisa (Jeff)
Gobernatz of New London, Karen (Greg) Eveslage of Melrose, and Julie (Brent) Baloun of Becker; 15 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; brother, Arnold (Donna Mae) Scholz of St. Francis; and sister, Victoria Kuefler of Sauk Rapids. Rita also leaves behind her Fairway Pines family who provided loving care and companionship.
Rita was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Vern Enneking on March 13, 2007; sister-in-law, Selestia Zenzen; and brothers-in-law,
Edwin Zenzen and Donald
Kuefler.
Serving as casket bearers were Michael Wojtalewicz, Joe Wojtalewicz, Eric Eveslage, Nicholas Eveslage, Pete Sabatini, Anthony Sabatini, Brent Coulson, and Casey Coulson. Cross bearer was Emily Gobernatz and scripture bearer was Lauren Baloun. Gift bearers were Michelle Meiser and Elena Sabatini. Readers were Lindsey Baloun and Carly Coulson and the petitions were read by Katie Wojtalewicz.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Alzheimer’s Association. www.alz.org.