Rita Leinen
Rita Ann Leinen, 75, of Le Mars, Iowa, passed away Tuesday, February 26, 2019 at Accura Healthcare in Sioux City, Iowa.
Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 1, 2019 at All Saints Catholic Parish – St. Joseph Church in Le Mars. Reverend Bruce Lawler celebrated Mass. Burial followed at Calvary Cemetery in Le Mars.
Arrangements are with the Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Le Mars. Expressions of sympathy can be extended to the family through their website, www.rexwinkelfh.com.
Rita Ann Hanson was born February 24, 1944 in Elk Point, South Dakota, the daughter of James and Myrtle (Lethcoe) Hanson.
She was raised near Elk Point, where she helped on the farm. She attended school and graduated from Elk Point High School.
Following high school, she attended Nettleton Business College in Sioux City. Following business school, she went to work for Wincharger in Sioux City.
She was united in marriage to Robert Leinen in 1966. To this union, two children were born: Jeff and Stacie. Early on, they made their home in Norfolk, Nebraska.
Rita worked for J.C. Penney’s and later for Dale Electronics. Later, they moved to Kingsley, Iowa, where they owned and operated Grumpy’s Restaurant and Bar in Kingsley.
In 1987, they sold Grumpy’s and moved to Le Mars, where Rita worked for Lally’s Eastside. Rita and Bob later divorced.
After several years, Rita became a resident of the Abbey, where she also answered phones. After the Abbey closed, she became a resident of Accura Healthcare in Sioux City.
Through the years, Rita enjoyed cross-stitching and crocheting. She also liked doing crossword puzzles. In her younger years, she enjoyed fishing on the Missouri River with her mother.
Survivors include a son, Jeff (Julia) Leinen of Bentonville, AR; a daughter, Stacie (Travis) Mahrt of Kingsley, IA; 6 grandchildren: Kellsi Wurth, Jacob Leinen, Alex Leinen, Jayden Wurth, Madchen Leinen, and Levi Mahrt; two siblings: Dan (Mary) Hanson of Elk Point, SD, and Donnie (Robert) Peregrine of Rapid City, SD; and several nieces & nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Myrtle Hanson, and her siblings: John Hanson, Pat Hanson, Kathryn “Babe” Hansen, and Ginny Ghee.
