Rita C Gettert

Rita Catherine (Laible) Gettert passed away Saturday August 9th at at the age of 100 at her home in Crawford, Nebraska.

Rita was born June 6, 1925 to John and Mary (Kohle) Laible. She was the fifth of ten children. Rita lived on the family farm three miles west of Atkinson, Nebraska and attended St. Boniface School in Stuart through the 8th grade. Rita was needed at home to help with the younger children. Her oldest sister was working for a family, and her two older sisters joined the convent at the end of the 8th grade. As the children got older Rita helped the Berigan family in Atkinson with their large family and eventually moved to O'Neill and lived with the Jim Corkle family as a nanny.

Her brother Joe introduced her to Glenn Lewis Gettert at the Crystal Ballroom in Atkinson. They were married September 1, 1949 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Atkinson. To this union seven children were born Elva, Gary, James (stillborn), Patty, Lewis, Michael and Jeanine.

Glenn and Rita lived in O'Neill, Nebraska. Glenn worked for Consumers Public Power, now known as NPPD. Glenn transferred to Terry Town, Nebraska until an opening came up in Crawford. Rita made every place they lived a home but Crawford is what we think of as home.

Rita and Glenn were introduced to rock hunting by Frank Barcal and John Mader. Glenn once commented that you put a handful of marbles in your pocket, every time you find a good rock you throw out a marble, you know you're a rock hound when you've lost all your marbles. They were rock hounds, enjoyed it so much the would make sandwiches and take the whole family north of Crawford to go rock or fossil hunting. These outings provided a beautiful collection of valued rocks from the area, Wyoming and South Dakota. They were very proud of their collection.

As her children got older she worked outside of the home. Initially at Fort Robinson, then Bud Kennedy asked her to come work for him at Midwest Hardware. She was nervous at first but quickly caught on to the business. She has fond memories of Bud, Wilbur Smith and Lola Garner. When the hardware store closed Norma Rawhouser asked her if she would work at their western wear store. She worked there until she and Glenn retired.

After she and Glenn retired they enjoyed visiting family or cruising Fort Robinson and the back roads. You could find them at the local coffee shops in the morning and quite often in the afternoon.

She saw a lot of changes in her lifetime. She remembers the Dirty Thirties. She said they ate a lot of fish during those dry times. She had her fill of fish and would avoid fish if possible. She got snowed in at her parents the Blizzard of 49 while Glenn was working out of O'Neill for Consumers. The crew was out for days working on power lines. She has a lot memories of growing up that she has shared with her family.

She made her kids tow the line, as much as humanly possible. She and Glenn led by example, hopefully they are as proud of us as we are of them.

Rita always hoped she would be able to stay in her home until God called. This would not have been possible without the loving care of her special angels. Under their watchful eyes her caregivers made this possible. Our special thanks to Megan Gettert Paris, Kay Jacob, Cindy Drinkwalter, Barb Prosser, Carolyn Annen and Maria Ramos.

Rita is survived by her six children Elva (Pat) Mahony of Spalding, Gary (Kathy) Gettert of Hemingford, Patty (Kevin) Mahony of O'Neill, Lewis (Deb) Gettert of Douglas, WY, Mike (Katie) Gettert of Gillette, WY and Jeanine Hall of Ames, IA; 19 grand children; 36 great grand children and one brother Louis (Marilyn) Laible of Atkinson, NE. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Glenn, still born son James, sisters Marie Laible Smedley, Sister Polly Laible, Sister Irene Laible, Theresa Laible Krysl, brothers John Laible, Joe Laible, Leo Laible and Pat Laible.

Visitation will be Sunday August 17th at 7:00 pm at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. A funeral mass will be celebrated Monday August 18th at 10:30 am at the Church.