Rita Ann Scheffen

Rita Ann Scheffen, 91, Lena, died Friday morning, June 7, 2024 of natural causes.  She was born October 5, 1932 in Lena to Paul and Saba (Ausloos) Rosera.  Rita grew up in the Lena area where she attended public schools, graduating from high school with the class of 1950.

On February 14, 1953, she married the love of her life, John Irvin Scheffen, at St. Charles Catholic Church in Lena. While John was in the military, they lived in Tacoma, WA for two years, and Vacaville, CA for ten years. They eventually settled in Lena where they owned and operated Deep Rock filling station. She later got an associate’s degree and worked at AMS Insurance until she retired.

Rita was a longtime and devoted member of St. Anne Parish where she was a Eucharistic minister and worked in the Food Pantry. She decorated the altar for many years with flowers from her garden. She and John enjoyed their many pilgrimages, especially Medjugorje and Chile. Faith and family were her highest priorities.

Rita’s favorite past times included bowling, golfing, playing cards, making cinnamon raisin bread and booze cakes, and the occasional nickel slots. She loved to spend time with and be silly with her grandchildren. Rita and John especially enjoyed being snowbirds in Alamo, Texas for over 20 years. She was also proud to have been a member of the American Legion Auxiliary.

Survivors are her five children Mary (Mike) Hodkiewicz, Lena; Bonnie (Mark Hodkiewicz) Tousey, Lena; Jeanne Hogue Lenderman, Greenbush; Debbie Zakerski, Kennewick, WA; Steve (Amanda Kugel) Scheffen, DePere; twelve grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren: and one great great grandchild and one more on the way; two sisters, Elaine Demro, Green Bay, and Bernadette Rodriguez, Johnson City, TN.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, John; son, Ricky Scheffen; grandchildren, Erik Tousey, Jason Hogue, and Bryant Hodkiewicz; one greatgrandson, Kyle Hodkiewicz; sisters Mary Joyce, Eloise Shallow, Francis  Marie; brothers, Reverend Milton, Donald, Ervin, and Alfred Rosera.

Visitation will be held after 9:00 AM Tuesday, June 11, 2024 at St. Anne Parish in Lena until the time of service.  Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 AM Tuesday at the church with the Rev. Fr. Ben Johnson officiating.  Burial will take place in St. Charles Cemetery in Lena.

Special thanks to the wonderful staffs of The Cottages at Meadowlands, Caretta Senior Living, Unity Hospice, and her personal caregiver Tina VandenHeuvel for their compassionate care.