Rita Ethel (Hein) Olberding, age 78, of N. Frankfort Street, Minster, passed away peacefully of natural causes Monday evening, May 6, 2024, at Elmwood Assisted Living in New Bremen, Ohio.

She was born October 25, 1945, in Celina, Ohio, to the late George & Amelia (Reier) Hein. On September 28, 1968, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in St. Marys, Rita married Henry Olberding who preceded her in death on August 4, 2020.

Surviving are four sons: Steven & Becky Olberding of Minster; Jason & Lora Olberding of Minster; Dennis & Holly Olberding of Dublin; and Kevin & Marie Olberding of Minster; nine grandchildren: Chelsey & Jason Meinerding, Jack Olberding & fiancée, Emily Stubbs, Will, Ella, Caraline, Aliza, Levi, Nash and Cole Olberding along with three great-grandchildren, Larkin, Ava and Harper Meinerding; one (twin) sister, Ruth & Curtis Brookhart of New Bremen; sisters & brothers-in-law: Martha Olberding of Minster; Ron & Jean Olberding of Minster; Edmond Olberding of Fort Loramie; and Herman & Jeannette Olberding of Minster; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by three siblings, Gregor & Dorothy Hein, Caroline & Gene Buschur and Irene & Thomas Freisthler as well as several brothers & sisters-in-law: Walter "Doc", Melvin, Paul and Robert "Bob" Olberding, Laura & Donald Wendeln and Mary & Phil Brown.

Rita was a graduate of St. Marys Memorial High School and had been a homemaker dedicated to raising her family of four angelic boys. She also worked at Jo Ann Fabrics and many years ago had been a shorthand specialist at the Minster Machine Co. Rita was a member of St. Augustine Catholic Church where she had been an active volunteer. She was a Communion distributor and taught second grade religion classes. Over the years she helped hundreds prepare for their first Holy Communion.

She belonged to the Minster Eagles Auxiliary where she had been an officer of various positions, the Minster American Legion Auxiliary, the Red Hat Society, was involved in the Working Homemakers club of Auglaize County and had been a long time Cub Scout Troop den mother. A talented seamstress, cake baker and decorator, Rita was fortunate enough to be trusted by friends, relatives, neighbors, and strangers to craft their wedding cakes. She had many adventures including cakes that required modifications to the house to deliver and set up. It was often a family affair. Rita also loved the Oktoberfest. She served on many committees, including the Oktoberfest Float Committee where she was one of many responsible for bringing the fest experience to communities near and far.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10 a.m., Monday, May 13, 2024, at St. Augustine Church in Minster with Rev. Kenneth Alt presiding. Interment will follow at St. Augustine Cemetery.

Family and friends may call Sunday, 4 to 7 p.m. and Monday 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at Gehret Funeral Home in Fort Loramie.

Memorials may be made to the Center for Neurological Development in Burkettsville at www.cfnd.us or Everheart Hospice at everhearthospice.org.

Private condolences may be expressed at gehretfuneralhome.com.