Rita M. Walker, 85, formerly of Flandreau, SD, died Friday, February 24, 2017 at Prestige Senior Living - Auburn Meadows, Auburn, WA.
Rita was born December 17, 1931 in Dell Rapids, SD, to Nicholas and Mary (Hilgert) Schwebach. She attended St. Mary's Catholic School. She worked at the Dells Theater, Dells Creamery and Van Buren & Vogt in Dell Rapids before her marriage to Vernon V. Walker on April 23, 1955. The couple lived in Brookings and Dell Rapids, where Rita operated Rita's Fabric Shoppe, before opening Walkers' Fine Foods & Spirits in Flandreau in 1975. The couple retired from the restaurant business in 1996, only to take over the operation of the Old Dutch Inn in Dell Rapids from 1999-2000, when they retired "for real." Rita was a long-time member of SS. Simon & Jude Catholic Church in Flandreau. She was a past regent of the Catholic Daughters. During retirement, she enjoyed scrapbooking and being "Gigi" to her great-grandchildren. Rita moved to Auburn, WA in 2012.
Rita was preceded in death by her husband, Vernon, on October 11, 2007. She is survived by three children: Cheryl (Joseph) Rook of Auburn, WA; James (Barbara) of Sioux Falls, SD; and Susan (Richard) Reeves of Smithfield, UT; seven grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.
A memorial service is planned in Flandreau in June, 2017.
Cheryl sorry to hear about your mom. My sympathies. Karen Rave Munk
My deepest sympathies to Vern and Rita's family on her passing. They were very open, warm, and inviting and will live on in the memories of everyone whose lives were enriched and blessed by knowing them. In thought and prayer, Martin Wilson, Ivanhoe, MN
Cheryl and family, sorry to here of Rita's passing. She was such a caring person to all who knew her. I remember sitting at Walker's with mom & dad as kids while Vern and Rita made us homemade cherry cokes. Sincerely Todd Eng
Rita was a great lady with style. I got to know her through Catholic Daughters and being a neighbor to Dolly Keehn. After Vern passed away, Rita sat in the same pew at church with me. We often just visited on the phone for ideas from each other. She was very creative with her card making. God bless Rita and her family. Jane DeLay Egan, SD
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