Rita Anna Harrell

Rita Harrell passed away on April 23, 2025, at Oschner LSU Health in Shreveport, LA at the age of 80. Rita was born in Bad Neustadt, Germany on February 6, 1945, and grew up with her sisters, Anna, Alfreda, and Eustina, as well as her brother Karl and her father, Karl. She often shared fond memories of her childhood on her farm in Germany napping under a tree with her beloved "mookuhla" (cows). From early on, Rita loved all animals but had a deep fondness for the calves that she would bring to graze on her family farm. Rita studied at a culinary school in her homeland of Germany. She put her own spin on German favorites like Schnitzel, Goulash and Rouladan as well as Southern favorites like beans and rice. If you were lucky enough to have enjoyed a meal prepared by her, you had the rare joy of experiencing how love actually tastes. Rita was the beloved wife and companion of John Harrell for 54 years. She was the mother to three daughters, Tanya, Andrea and Sandra, and a son, Harry Gunther. She was also the beloved grandmother to Deborah Harrell-James, Nicolas LaRoche and Lucas LaRoche as well as her grand-dog, Iggy. She had the honor of also being a great-grandmother to Jayci and Holden James. Prior to her retirement in 2018, Rita worked in retail for AAFES and made fast friends with co-workers and customers alike. Following her retirement, Rita and John enjoyed day trips to find Aldi's – which reminded her of her homeland, Germany – and shopping for trinkets to decorate her home. She loved gardening and her beautiful flowers continue to line her front and back yard. She also loved chatting with her German friends any chance she got. If she heard her mother tongue in public, she would make a beeline for the person to converse in their shared language. Rita also adored animals, especially dogs, and would never miss an opportunity to show love to every animal she met. Indeed, our beloved mom, Oma, wife and friend was the embodiment of love on every level. She loved fiercely and unconditionally. Rita was preceded in death by her parents, Otelia and Karl Weber, her sisters, Anna, Eustina, and Alfreda, and her brother Karl. She leaves behind her husband John Harrell, her daughters Tanya, Andrea and Sandra, her son Harry Guenther, her granddaughter, Deborah Harrell-James, her grandsons Lucas and Nicolas LaRoche, her son in law, Marc LaRoche, and her great-grandhchildren, Jayci and Holden James. Her memory will also be cherished by her "adopted daughter," Nastahia Webber, Larry and Barbara Harrell, Danny and Peggy Harrell as well as many beloved friends and relatives. Services to celebrate her life are scheduled for Thursday, May 1, 2025, at 12:30 at Jeane's Funeral Service in Leesville followed by inurnment in Central Louisiana Veteran's Cemetery.