Rita Darlene Elfering

1953 - 2012

Rita Darlene Elfering, 58

Freeport

August 27, 1953 - January 28, 2012

Rita Darlene Elfering passed away peacefully on January 28, 2012, surrounded by her family, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Rita was born in Ozark, Arkansas, the youngest of 11 children of Luther and Francess Holdar. Rita graduated from Ozark High School in 1971. She attended Ozark Polytechnic before enlisting in the United States Air Force. She served at F.E. Warren AFB in Cheyenne, Wyoming after completing the Minuteman III Missile System Course at Chanute AFB, in Rantoul, Illinois. After leaving the Air Force, Rita earned her AA from Laramie Community College in Cheyenne.

It was during her time in the Air Force in Wyoming that she met Dan Elfering, the love of her life. They were married in 1979 and moved to Minnesota in 1980 when he was released from active duty. Their son, Joshua, was born in 1982.

After moving to Minnesota, Rita went back to school at St. Cloud State University and received a BA in Psychology in 1982 and a Masters in Psychology in 1986. Rita worked as a social services counselor for several years before moving to the optical industry, where she worked for 20 years until her retirement in 2009. She also served on the school board in Melrose, MN, for 11 years.

Rita loved the outdoors, photography, reading and traveling. She also loved her puppy Sparky, who brought her great joy after her retirement and throughout her cancer battle, even staying with her in the hospital on weekends.

Rita was preceded in death by her parents, Luther and Francess Holdar, and a brother, Tom. She is survived by her loving husband of 33 years Dan; beloved son Joshua; daughter-in-law Katie; siblings MaryAnne (Paul), Eleanor, Fanny, Milli (Al), Jim (Carmen), Maxine (Bob), Bob (BJ), Fran (Al), Frank (Elise); and many nieces and nephews, friends and other relatives.

The family wishes to thank the doctors and nurses at the VA Hospital, especially at the Palliative Care Unit at the Minneapolis Veteran's Health Center, for the care and love they provided during the last months of Rita's life.

Internment will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery on Friday, February 10th, 2012 at 12:30 p.m. A memorial open house will be held at the Meadowlark Country Club in Melrose, MN on Saturday, February 11th, from 1:00-4:00 p.m.