Rita Rose Mutziger

Rita Mutziger, 101, of Mitchell, SD, passed away Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at Avera Brady Health and Rehab in Mitchell. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 AM Tuesday, February 3, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Mitchell. Burial will be at Servicemen's Memorial Cemetery in Mitchell. Visitation will be Monday from 5-7:00 PM at the Church with a 6:00 PM Scripture Service. Arrangements by Bittner Funeral Chapel.

Rita Rose Weber was born on September 9, 1924, to Joe and Josephine Weber on the family farm near Dimock, SD. She was the third of 11 children. Rita attended St. Peter and Paul Catholic School.

She started her strong work ethic at an early age by helping with her younger siblings. For a time, she worked at Wermers Produce for her uncle Casper Wermers and his wife Della Mutziger. During the war, she worked as a factory worker at the Defense Plant in Mitchell. She was the head housekeeper at the Holiday Inn for 20 years.

On May 7th, 1946, Rita married Leslie Mutziger in a double-ring ceremony with her sister Lucille and Everett Muth in Dimock. While raising her growing family on the farm near Ethan, she always had a big garden and canned lots of its produce.

Leslie and Rita moved to Mitchell in 1978. Their back patio was the meeting place after church on Saturday nights and for many family gatherings. There was always time for socializing and a good game of cards. You couldn't visit without being offered a ham sandwich and a cup of coffee!

During retirement, Les and Rita enjoyed traveling to Europe, Canada, and Hawaii. At the age of 88, her most memorable trip was to Thailand with her son and nephew to visit Judy. Crossing the Kok River on an elephant was the highlight of that trip.

Rita was an avid believer in helping others. After her retirement from the Holiday Inn, she volunteered at the Hospitality House for Queen of Peace Hospital in Mitchell. Rita and Les delighted in planting and caring for the flowers at the Hospitality House, McDonalds, and of course their own yard; earning the 'Yard of the Month' was a special honor for her and their hard work. When she would finish her yard work, she always managed a daily walk along Spruce St. She donated blood a total of 96 times. She was an active member of the Altar Society at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. She helped serve many funeral dinners and always helped serve the Love Feast. Rita was still a member of the Ethan Ladies Auxiliary.

Rita loved a good party. She celebrated her 100th birthday with approximately 200 friends and family. She was forced to 'downsize' her 101st to about 60 people!

Rita is survived by her children, Judy of Bangkok, Thailand, Jim (Karen) of Salem, SD, and Lois (Ron) Thuringer of Madison, SD; seven grandchildren: Terry (Jill) Mutziger, Tami (Kurt) Bies, Tom (Robyn) Mutziger, Cheltzie Hentz, Jason (Nancy) Thuringer, Becka (Ryan) Burger, and Rob (Kirsten) Thuringer; 14 great-grandchildren and five great-great-granddaughters; her three siblings, Jerry (Rita) Weber, Marlys (Norbert) Miiller, and Bill (Vicki) Weber; and sisters-in-law, Deanna Hage and Eleanor Weber.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, Leslie; her daughter, Sue, in 2017; and seven siblings: Sally Pollreisz, Lucille Muth, Leonard Weber, Helen Pollreisz, Stella Puetz, Alvin Weber, and Virgil Weber.