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BORN
1926
DIED
2025
Rita Loken Obituary
July 4, 1926 – August 4, 2025
Bakersfield – With heavy and grateful hearts, we celebrate the life and legacy of Rita Loken, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and beloved member of the Bakersfield community.
Our "French Firecracker" was born on July 4, 1926 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Emma and Narcisse Pouliot. She was the youngest of 5 children. Mom married the love of her life and favorite dance partner, Herb Loken, June 1949. Their Catholic faith was the center of their life, intertwined with family life. A close follow up was music and dancing. A move to Bakersfield in 1956 began their life with Bakersfield College, as their second family. Our dear mother gave her considerable energy to Right to Life and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church and School activities.
Rita is survived by her five daughters: Mary (Tony Cornett), Amy (Sam Ochoa), Ellen (Ron Bertolucci), Marty (Cletis McCoy), and Clare (Todd Barksdale). In addition Rita is survived by 17 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren.
The family would like to thank Hoffmann Hospice for their wonderful services, as well as Mom's care companion Claudia Sarti.
Celebration of Life will be held September 5, 2025 with a 9:30 am Rosary followed my 10:00 am Mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church.
www.bakersfield.com/obits
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Memories and Condolences
for Rita Loken
Ricky Peterson
February 13, 2026
We Love and miss her so much but we have such beautiful, fond memories. She will always be with us! Love you my dear, sweet cousins!!
Bob Braitman
January 31, 2026
Can one of Herb and Rita's daughters please contact me. You will remember that we met when I was a student at Bakersfield College and have remained ever since. I want to contact the girls with a memorial memory and do not know how to reach them.
I am Bob Braitman at 805-647-5278 or [email protected].
Thank you. I look forward to hearing from you.
Norma Sacchini
September 13, 2025
Condolences to all you girls.
I was in Hawaii for my son´s Jeff Kauai marathon. I am so sorry I did not know.
I was just thinking about your mom last week and then somebody told me that she had passed away. I saw her funeral was on 5 September. She such an inspiration to me. I know what a wonderful wife, mom and grandma she was. I send you my love and my prayers.
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marianne garner
August 26, 2025
Our family grew up--in the early years--enjoying friendships and lots of fun with the Loken Family. We have nothing but the fondest memories of times spent with Rita, Herb and "the girls". Rita was wise, loving, generous, full of life and someone to emulate. She will Stay in our hearts forever. (I, for one, particularly remember and enjoyed her "kuchen", fresh from the oven on a Saturday morning). Lots of love from Marianne Garner and the Garner Family
Cyryl and Dan Yannitell
August 25, 2025
The Pogon and Yannitell families have so many wonderful memories of Rita, Herb and the entire Loken family. We all grew up together through OLPH, Garces and BC. Rita and Herb paid us a visit in Baton Rouge, LA, and we had such a grand time. Much love to the family from the Pogons and Yannitells
Janet Bertolucci Castaños
August 23, 2025
Rita was always the kindest and most loving "friend´s mom" during our Garces High School days and she remained so throughout her 99 year life. Such a precious soul whose loving presence will be missed by all who knew her.
Love to her daughters and extended family.
Tom & Lila Peterson
August 22, 2025
Rita will always be with us because she and Herb are such a powerful spiritual source. Rest in peace dear Rita.
Ricky (Icky Bones) Peterson
August 22, 2025
Our sweet Auntie Rita is the center of love. She is the kindest, most loving human on this planet! We will miss her here for sure! Our lives have been Blessed to have you! God Bless you on your new journey to be with our Lord and our loved ones! We will always cherish our time with you!
Linda Peterson
August 22, 2025
There are no words to convey how much we loved our beautiful Aunt Rita. We cherish all the visits in Bakersfield with her over the years and always came away from those visits with a joyful spirit and knowing we were loved by one of the greatest women who ever lived. We love to imagine the grand reunion she´s having in Heaven with all of her dear ones who were waiting for her there! Linda Peterson (niece)
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