Rita Mary Jette

Rita Mary (Wenkel) Jette , age 88, of Austin, Minnesota, passed away, Thursday, September 25, 2025, at The Cedars in Austin. Rita was born on August 23, 1937, to Irvin and Phyllis (Senesac) Wenkel in Mankato, Minnesota.

Rita began school at St. Peter and Paul’s in Mankato when she lived on Marsh Street. She received a library card when she was in second grade which was the highlight of her life since she loved to read. Reading was a lifelong passion that she passed on to her children and grandchildren. When Rita’s family moved to Range Street in North Mankato, she attended Holy Rosary School until 8th grade and then began her freshman year at Good Counsel Academy. After graduating, Rita attended nursing school at Mankato State College where she graduated as a registered nurse and was hired at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Mankato. While in nursing school, she met her future husband, John Jette, and they were married on August 29, 1959. Rita continued to work at St. Joseph’s Hospital until she and John had twins, Mike and Mary, in 1960. Their daughter, Jeanne, was born in 1961 and they then moved to Austin, Minnesota, in December of 1961 when John was hired as a probation officer. Rita and John then had Greg, Teresa, Chris, Steve, and Ann while in Austin. Rita did not go back to nursing, but did volunteer work at Queen of Angel’s Church and the Salvation Army. In 1994, Rita was named the Salvation Army Volunteer of the Year. Rita and John spent nearly 30 years wintering in Gulf Shores, Alabama, where they hosted family and friends, until John’s death on April 13, 2021.

Rita is survived by her children, Mike Jette of Forest Lake, Minnesota, Mary (Dale Bierbaum) Jette of Elgin, Minnesota, Jean (Ron) Filbert of North Glen, Colorado, Greg (Teresa) Jette of Austin, Minnesota, Teresa (Lawrence) Williams of St. Louis Park, Minnesota, Chris (Trish) Jette of Farmington, Minnesota, Steve (Tina) Jette of Fairmont, Minnesota, and Ann (Marc Shapiro) Jette of Austin, Minnesota; 18 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren; and expecting three more great-grandchildren in 2025. She was preceded in death by her parents, Irvin and Phyllis Wenkel; husband, John Thomas Jette; sister, Barb Thraen; and brothers, Jack Wenkel and Larry Wenkel.

The family would like to thank the Cedars staff for the exceptional care they gave Rita during her three and a half year stay.

The Mass of Christian Burial for Rita will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 3, 2025, at Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Austin, Minnesota. The visitation will take place from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 2, 2025, at Worlein-Hoff Funeral Home in Austin and will continue for one hour prior to the service at church. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, Austin. Memorials are preferred to the Alzheimer’s Association. Worlein-Hoff Funeral Homes of Austin are assisting the family with arrangements.