Rita F. Siefring, 79, of Carthagena and formerly of Burkettsville, died at 4:05 a.m. today, Oct. 31, 2011, at St. Charles Center.

She was born Nov. 22, 1931, in Yorkshire to Joseph and Katherine Walterbusch Mescher. On June 17, 1959, she married Elmer J. Siefring, who died April 9, 2005.

Surviving are are eight children: Diane (Jeff) Schulze, Fort Loramie, Lisa (Rick) Schulze, Willowdell, Luke (Peggy) Siefring, New Weston, Roseann (Harold) Phlipot, Versailles, Mary (Ron) Gehert, Versailles, Michael (Angie) Siefring, New Weston, Christopher (Kelly) Siefring, Burkettsville, and Sarah (Troy) Flenar, St. Henry; seven siblings, Norma Brackman, Fort Recovery, Richard (Carolyn) Mescher, North Star, Linus (Margaret) Mescher, Portland, Ind., Alfred (Janet) Mescher, Troy, Alfrieda (Glen) Anderson, Universal City, Texas, and Joseph Mescher, St. Henry; a brother-in-law, Leonard Otte, Maria Stein; 26 grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.

Deceased are siblings and in-laws, Vincent and Olivia Mescher, Norbert Mescher, Loretta Otte, Wilbert and Carol Mescher, Theresa Mescher, Elmer Mescher, Mary Ann Mescher and Ivo Brackman; and one granddaughter.

She was a member of St. Bernard Catholic Church, Burkettsville, and its Ladies Rosary Altar Sodality. She was a former St. Henry religious education teacher, RCIA instructor, hospice volunteer and a homemaker.

A Mass of Christian Burial is 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Calling is 2-8 p.m. Wednesday and 9-10 a.m. Thursday at Hogenkamp Funeral Home, St. Henry.

Memorials may be made to State of the Heart Hospice, Coldwater, or to the Center for Neurological Development, Burkettsville.

Condolences may be left at hogenkampfh.com.