Mass of Christian Burial for Rita Mitzel, 86, of Herreid will be Wednesday, January 21, 2015, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Michael's Catholic Church, Herreid, with Fr. Tom Clements officiating. Burial will be in the St. Michael's Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday, January 20, 2015, at 5:00 p.m., with a wake service at 7:00 p.m., at the church. Rita Mitzel, 86, of Herreid passed away on Friday, January 16, 2015, at the Strasburg Nursing Home.

Rita Elizabeth Schaefbauer was born on May 23, 1928, to Michael and Margaret (Stelflug) Schaefbauer on her parents farm near Herreid. She grew up on her parents farm west of Herreid and attended rural grade school and graduated from Herreid High School in 1946. Following high school she went on to study at Northern Normal in Aberdeen, SD, and received her teaching certificate. After receiving her certificate she returned to Herreid where she taught rural school.

On October 9, 1950, she married Archie Mitzel in Herreid. Following their union they made their home in Herreid where they spent the remainder of their years farming, ranching and raising their family.

While Archie and Rita owned the Herreid Sale Barn Rita ran the Sale Barn Cafe. When she was not working Rita was very active in the community. She was a dedicated member of St. Michael's Catholic Church. She taught Sunday School and was a member of the Altar Society. Rita, along with her son Rodney, made rosaries for many years that were shipped throughout the world. She also enjoyed doing craft projects, watching religious television programs, traveling, and savoring a cup of coffee amongst friends.

Rita is survived by her husband, Archie Mitzel of Herreid; her sons, Don (Vicki) Mitzel of Aberdeen, Frank (Deb) Mitzel of Artas, SD, Rodney Mitzel of Herreid, Mylo Mitzel of Egan, MN, and Dennis (Loretta Gullickson) Mitzel of Herreid; her grandchildren, Peggy Mitzel, Robert Mitzel, Chad Mitzel, Stacey Lewis and Casey Kuck; her great-grandchildren, Brody, Gavin, Jeslyn, and Brayson; and her brothers, Mike (Marcella) Schaefbauer of Bella Vista, AK, Louis Schaefbauer of Hibbing, MN, and Richard Schaefbauer of Virginia, MN.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her three brothers and her four sisters.

To view complete service go to http://ustream.tv/channel/rita-mitzel.

Reader: Robert Thullner
Offertory: Grandchildren
Ushers: Bruce Brandner and Alan Mitzel
Pallbearers: Louise Quaschnick, Marie Quaschnick, David Goehring, Tom Mitzel, Wade Mitzel and Casey Kuck.
Services have been entrusted to Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge.