It is with great sadness that the family of Rita Ann Mary Sarauer (nee Ramler) of Humboldt, SK, announces her passing at Humboldt District Hospital, on Friday, November 26, 2010, at the age of 85 years. Rita was born on August 8, 1925, to Tony and Clara Ramler, the oldest daughter of seven siblings. She attended Solo school for eight years. She then did housework for neighbours before moving to Saskatoon for one year. She later moved to New Westminster, B.C. and worked for one year in a plywood mill. She returned home to help Grandma on the farm and babysat for several neighbours. It was then that she met Dad. Rita married Bernie Sarauer of Annaheim on September 27, 1949 in Lake Lenore. They moved to Annaheim into the house that Bernie had built for them where they started their family of five children, Keith, Dale, Sandi, Debbie, and Jean. In 1965, Bernie built their second home across the street from the first one where they continued to raise their family. Rita was a great homemaker and cook and was always there for her children . She also loved to help out with the farm whenever possible. She would often drive the grain truck during harvest and always brought delicious dinners and suppers out to the field. In 1987, they moved to Humboldt, into the third home that Bernie built for Rita. This gave Rita another opportunity to do more painting which she loved to do. Rita and Bernie enjoyed their new home and their new life in Humboldt. In 2009, they moved into their new condo, the only home that Bernie didn't build for Rita. Even though Rita never had a viewing until it was completely finished, she loved their new home and was happy with their decision to move to a smaller house. Rita had many loves. But one of her greatest love was her grandchildren and her two great grandchildren. She was a little disappointed in losing the race with her sisters for the most great-grandchildren. She loved family gatherings at her home or at the cabin where we would share the wonderful meals that she would always prepare. Rita was a fantastic cook and homemaker. The grandchildren always looked forward to the Christmas food care packages that Rita sent home with them. In her younger years, Rita was an avid golfer and gardener. She would often be up at 6:00a.m., do some gardening and then hit the golf course with her friends. Rita and Bernie decided to be more adventurous so they purchased a motor home and used it numerous times to travel to the States for winter holidays and to the local lakes in the summer. Rita's love of lake life eventually prompted her to purchase a cabin at Barrier. This brought the family together for many happy gatherings, whether it was for working together or celebrating special occasions. Rita was very crafty. She loved quilting, crocheting, ceramics and making Christmas decorations. Her family have many keepsakes lovingly made by Rita's hands. She made very special quilts and presented one to each of her grandchildren upon their graduation. Rita always felt that a good day was being able to watch curling, golf, and her favourite, the Blue Jays on TV, sometimes all on the same day. Rita hated to miss a Jays game, and knew all the Blue Jay players by heart. Rita loved to socialize. Every week she would get together with her friends to play cards. She was always ready for a game of cards or Yahtzee when her children or grandchildren were visiting. Often Rita and Bernie would join friends on trips to casinos in Regina, Prince Albert or Saskatoon. Rita was very close to her two sisters and after Auntie Laura passed away, Auntie Val and Rita became even closer. They often talked to each several times a day about everything. Rita was a beacon of faith to her family and all who knew her. She strongly believed in God, and the teachings of the Catholic Church. She was a living example of how we need to prepare to spend our lives in eternity with Jesus. We are deeply grateful for the examples she set and the lessons she left. Rita will be sadly missed by her husband of 61 years, Bernard Sarauer of Humboldt; their five children, nine grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren: Keith (Linda) Sarauer of Annaheim, SK, and family Jessica (Dennis) Wagstaff and children Peyton and Colten, and Clinton (fiancée Laurel Serviss) Sarauer; Dale (Denise) Sarauer of Meadow Lake, SK, and family Rebecca, Braden and Mitchel; Sandra (Bill) Kupczyk of Regina, SK, and family Billy and Christina; Debra Sarauer of Annaheim; and Jean (Brian) Mamer of Saskatoon, SK, and family Chelsea and Shayne; one sister: Valerie (Richard) Sarauer of Humboldt; one brother: Raymond Ramler of Humboldt; sisters-in-law: Margaret Sarauer, Lorette Schreiner, and Lillian Ramler, all of Humboldt, and Mary Ramler of Naicam, SK; brothers-in-law: Roman Sarauer and Walter (Marcella) Sarauer, both of Humboldt; and by numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by two grandchildren: Joshua Sarauer and Wayne Sarauer her parents, Anton and Clara (nee Busch) Ramler; three brothers: Virgil (Theresa) Ramler, Urban Ramler, and Alvin Ramler; two sisters: Laura and Mary (infancy); sisters-in-law: Rose (Ed) Rieder, Marie (Henry) Brunn, Elsie (Walter) Pappenfus, and Dolores Sarauer; and by brothers-in-law: Art Sarauer, and Adolph Schreiner. The Prayer Service for Rita was held at St. Augustine R.C. Church, Humboldt, on Wednesday, December 1, 2010, at 8:00 p.m., led by Walter Sarauer and organist Debbie Sarauer. Scripture readers were Rebecca Sarauer and Christina Kupczyk. The eulogy was read by Rebecca Sarauer. The Funeral Mass was offered at St. Augustine R.C. Church on Thursday, December 2, 2010, at 10:00 a.m., celebrated by Fr. Emile April. Others taking part were: Brian Mamer, cross bearer; Chelsea Mamer and Jessica Wagstaff, scripture readers; Denise Sarauer, Linda Sarauer, and Bill Kupczyk, gift bearers. An honor guard was formed by members of the C.W.L. Honorary pallbearers were "all those who shared in Rita's life." Active pallbearers were Billy Kupczyk, Clinton Sarauer, Dennis Wagstaff, Braden Sarauer, Mitchel Sarauer, and Shayne Mamer. Internment followed at St. Augustine R.C Cemetery. Memorial donations may be directed to the Canadian Cancer Society. SCHULER-LEFEBVRE, Humboldt, SK.
