Rita Adelaide Schulte, age 85, of the Illinois Veteran’s Home, died on Thursday, January 17, 2013 in the home. She was born on February 8, 1927 in Quincy, a daughter of Arthur & Cecilia (Broemmel) Muehlenfeld. She married Donald Schulte on October 2, 1947 in St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. He preceded her in death on February 21, 2010.

Rita graduated from Notre Dame High School in 1945. She was a homemaker and she had worked for Illinois Bell Telephone, Brown Drug in her younger years and had most recently worked at Quincy Notre Dame in the cafeteria.

Rita was known for her smiles, hugs and her cookies. She was a compassionate, nurturing and loving person, who taught her children the importance of forgiveness, gratitude and a positive attitude. Rita was a prayer warrior who prayed constantly and with devotion. She shared her home, her food and her wisdom generously.
Among her most valued words of advice to her family was to “never leave the house or go to bed mad.”

She was a member of Blessed Sacrament Parish where she was also a member of the Altar Society and served as Eucharistic Minister. Rita had volunteered at the former St. Mary Hospital and Blessing Hospital. She was a member of the Ladies of Charity, was very active with Cursillo and also had been a Den Mother.

She is survived by 10 CHILDREN, Donna Gengenbacher and husband Robert of Ft. Madison, IA; Deborah Schulte of Quincy; Darlene Fitkin of Waterloo, IA; Denise Frericks and husband Greg of Lewistown, MO; Dennett Hanke and husband Walter Jr. of Springfield, IL; Darrald Schulte and his wife Kathleen of Wentzville, MO; David Schulte and his wife Mary Helen of Albuquerque, NM; Damian Schulte and wife Bebe of Greentop, MO; Douglas Schulte and wife Cindy of Ursa; Dean Schulte and his wife Sandy of Quincy; A BROTHER, Art (Dolly) Muehlenfeld of Niceville, FL; TWO SISTERS, Millie Bruce of El Cajon, CA and Sr. Agnes Muehlenfeld, P.H.J.C. of Donaldson, IN;.44 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great grandson. In-Laws and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.

In addition to her husband, Donald, and her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, one sister, a son, Danny Schulte, and her adopted daughter, Maria Lomupo.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 21, 2013 at 9:30 a.m. in the Duker & Haugh Funeral Home with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. in Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Sunday evening from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. The family requests that memorials in lieu of flowers may be made to Blessed Sacrament School, Quincy Notre Dame High School or Blessing Foundation for Hospice.

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