Rita Enneking

Rita M. Enneking, age 86, of Melrose, died Wednesday, September 16, 2015 at Fairway Pines in Sauk Centre, Minnesota after a long struggle with Alzheimer's disease.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, September 19 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose with Rev. Marvin Enneking officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday and from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. Christian Mothers, Sts. Bernard and Elizabeth Council, and the Schanhaar-Otte VFW Auxiliary will pray at 5 p.m. followed by parish prayers at 7 p.m. Friday evening.

Rita Mary Scholz was born December 7, 1928 in Elmdale Township, Morrison County, Minnesota to Frank and Katherine (Shiller) Scholz. She got her teaching degree from St. Cloud State College. She taught at Cass Lake, Robbinsdale, and Melrose. Rita taught Kindergarten at the public school in Melrose for over 25 years. On June 30, 1952 she married LaVerne "Vern" Enneking at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in St. Francis.

Rita was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, Christian Mothers, Sts. Bernard and Elizabeth Council, Schanhaar-Otte VFW Post 7050 Auxiliary, and the Hospital Auxiliary. She also volunteered her time with Meals on Wheels. Rita enjoyed gardening, quilting, reading, bird watching, sewing, cooking, baking, and spending time with her family at the cabin.

Survivors include her children, Debra (Barry) Wojtalewicz of St. James, Linda (Len) Sabatini of Chillicothe, OH, Jane (Brad) Coulson of St. Michael, Lisa (Jeff) Gobernatz of New London, Karen (Greg) Eveslage of Melrose, and Julie (Brent) Baloun of Becker; 15 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; brother, Arnold (Donna Mae) Scholz of St. Francis; and sister, Victoria Kuefler of Sauk Rapids. Rita also leaves behind her Fairway Pines family who provided loving care and companionship.

Rita was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Vern Enneking on March 13, 2007; sister-in-law, Selestia Zenzen; and brothers-in-law, Edwin Zenzen and Donald Kuefler.

Serving as casket bearers will be Michael Wojtalewicz, Joe Wojtalewicz, Eric Eveslage, Nicholas Eveslage, Pete Sabatini, Anthony Sabatini, Brent Coulson, and Casey Coulson. Cross bearer will be Emily Gobernatz and scripture bearer will be Lauren Baloun. Gift bearers will be Michelle Meiser and Elena Sabatini. Readers will be Lindsey Baloun and Carly Coulson and the petitions will be read by Katie Wojtalewicz.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Alzheimer's Association. www.alz.org