Rita Elms Holzenthal

Rita Elms Holzenthal passed away Friday, July 13, 2018, surrounded by her loving family. She was 87. Survivors include her beloved husband of 69 years, Henry J. Holzenthal, III; four devoted children, Henry W. (Cecilia), Gary T. (Debbie), Gretel A. and Karl J. (Paige) Holzenthal; loving Maw Maw to her four grandchildren, Ciera (Zander), Jasmine, Karl Jr. (Katey) and Jake Holzenthal. She is also survived by her close family friend Terry Alfonso (Tracey) and their children. Preceeded in death by her parents, John Elms, Jr. and Hazel Romero Elms; and her stepparents, Henry and Maggie Wald. Rita worked at her father's company Tac Amusement and established Louisiana's first 24 hour child care facility, Kangaroo Pouch. She was a past president of St. Matthias Mother's Club. The Holzenthal family home was the neighborhood hangout for all the kids of Broadmoor. She was a lifelong resident of Broadmoor and past president of Broadmoor Improvement Association. She was the most generous and compassionate person and will be dearly missed by her family and friends. The family would like to thank the Emergency Department and 3rd Floor nursing staff at Ochsner Baptist for the care provided to our wife and mother. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the visitation at Greenwood Funeral Home, 5200 Canal Blvd, New Orleans, on Thursday, July 19, 2018, starting at 9:00 AM, followed by a Funeral Mass in the chapel at 11:00 AM. Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Rita's name to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, www.stjude.org/Donate. The family invites you to share your thoughts, fond memories, and condolences online, at www.greenwoodfh.com