Rita Shafer

Rita Shafer, 87, of Fremont, died on Tuesday, April 30, 2013 at Countryside Continuing Care. She was born on August 24, 1925 in Richmond, IN to John and Marie (Althoff) Praetorius. Rita was a 1943 graduate of Fremont Ross High School. On September 13, 1947 she married Melvin Shafer at Grace Lutheran Church, Fremont and he survives. Rita worked at Union Carbide, Otto & Urban part time and Great Western Sugar Co. She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church. She was also a member of the Plant & Bloom Garden Club, several card clubs, the Farm Bureau, Grace Lutheran Couples and the church choir from 1943 to present. Rita enjoyed stamp collecting, sewing and traveling. Rita & Melvin hosted an exchange student from Finland, Vidar Lindqvist from 1966-1967 and they to this day keep in touch. Surviving in addition to her husband, are children, Jay of Columbus, Louise (Gary) Saam of Marblehead, Donna (Robert) Naugle of Butler and John (Sheril) of Helena; 10 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents and a daughter, Nancy Shafer; grandchildren, Melanie Saam and Eric Shafer. Visitation will be on Friday, May 3, 2013 from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. at the Herman-Kinn-Veh Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 319 W. Madison St., Gibsonburg, OH. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday at 11 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, Fremont with Pastor James Avers officiating. There will be one hour of visitation at church prior to the service. Burial will be private at Oakwood Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Grace Lutheran Church or Hospice of Memorial Hospital in Rita's memory.