Date Posted: 2018-01-13
Maiden Name: Tinglehoff

Rita Mae Tingelhoff Adams, 89, of Overton, Nebraska, passed away peacefully Thursday, January 4, 2018, in her sleep at her residence in Cozad with her daughter, Marietta, granddaughter, Randi Cook, and three of her great-grandchildren by her side.

Rita was born August 31, 1928, on the Tingelhoff farm in rural Dawson County, Nebraska, to Henry A. and Clara (Ortmeier) Tingelhoff.

She was united in marriage to Billy C. Adams on June 10, 1953, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Lexington. The couple traveled with the Air Force for several years, but made their home in Overton in 1970. Rita then babysat for many years loving all the little ones who grew up who called her Aunt Rita and even Grammie.

Rita and her family raised rabbits, chickens, turkeys, and ducks. She loved to garden and can, filling her shelves as well as her children’s with goodies. Besides canned goods she loved to bake and could make the best pies and cookies. When she sat down she loved to play cards, especially pinochle, cribbage, and pitch. She enjoyed embroidery and many a girl received a set of pillowcases for their high school graduation.

She followed all sorts of sports on TV being a big Nebraska Husker and Minnesota Viking fan. She resided in her home in rural Overton until she moved in 2013, to her daughter Norma’s house where she continued to be found rocking babies, cutting vegetables, folding laundry, studying spelling words, coloring pictures, or playing card games on her tablet.

Rita was a faithful member of St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Lexington. She was a member of the Funeral Dinner Committee, and spent time collecting cakes and salads for funeral meals for many years.

She was a true angel on earth and will be so very missed by all who knew and loved her.

Rita is survived by her children; Marietta Adams of Henderson, Nebraska, Jolene Fischer of Cambridge, Nebraska, Norma (Gary) Yeutter of Cozad, Nebraska, Kellie (Brian) Anderson of North Platte, Nebraska, and Thomas Adams of Bellevue, Nebraska; nine grandchildren, Eric Fischer and (Michelle Doetker) and their children, Nick, Christina Aaliyah, and Hailea of Cambridge, Nebraska, Tyler Fischer of Grand Island, Nebraska, Brooke Fischer of Cambridge, Nebraska, Megan (Brad) Reed, of North Platte, Nebraska and their children, Kinlee and Brody, Clint Yeutter of Virginia, Randi (Justin) Cook and their children, Dakota, Carolyn, and Logan of Cozad, Nebraska; Myriah (Austin) Durner and their children, Montana, Monte, and Milee of Cozad, Nebraska, Chareese (Shawn) Daffer and their daughter Makenna of Indianola, Nebraska, Clarissa and Tim Hansen, of North Platte, Nebraska, Lew Marsolek and son Josiah of North Platte, Nebraska; sisters, Willie Campbell of Kentucky, Dorothy Bergstraesser of Smithfield, Nebraska, Dee (Jim) Saulsbury of Iowa, and brother, Mick (Phyllis) Tingelhoff of Minnesota; and sister-in-law, Kay Tingelhoff of Eustis, Nebraska, and Ellen Adams of Kansas.

Rita will also be missed by her numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and all the children she babysat through the years.

Rita was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Adams; children, Connie, Joann, Marie Kathleen, Mary Elizabeth; her parents, Henry and Clara Ortmeier Tingelhoff; her brother, Lawrence Tingelhoff; brothers-in-law, Lyle Bergstraesser, Homer “Bud” Adams, James “Harold” Adams, Larry Adams, Kenny Brandenberg, John Dorner; and, sisters-in-law, Donna Brandenberg, Jeannette Dorner, and Carol Adams.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, January 9, 2018, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Lexington with Reverend Jose Chavez celebrating.

Burial will be in the St. Ann’s Catholic Cemetery.

Visitation will be held Monday, January 8, 2018, from 5-7 p.m. with Rosary to follow at 7:00 p.m. at Reynolds-Love Funeral Chapel in Lexington.

Memorials are suggested to St. Ann’s Catholic Church or to the family for later designation.

Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com.