In Memory of Rita S. Werner

Rita S. Werner, age 93, of Battle Creek, Iowa (formerly of Omaha, Nebraska) passed away on Thursday, January 13, 2022, at the Horn Memorial Hospital of Ida Grove, Iowa.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, January 21, 2022, at the Holy Name Catholic Church of Omaha, Nebraska. Father Jim Buckley will officiate. Committal Services will follow in the Calvary Cemetery of Omaha, Nebraska. A Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with a Rosary Service at 6:45 p.m. and Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m., on Thursday, January 20, 2022, at the Heafey-Hoffman-Dworak & Cutler Funeral Home located at 7805 W. Center Road of Omaha, Nebraska.

The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Homes of Ida Grove and Battle Creek, Iowa, are in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

Rita Stella Werner, the daughter of Stanley and Jennie (Grzesiak) Nowaczyk, was born on July 16, 1928, in Omaha, Nebraska. She received her elementary education at St. Francis of Assisi and attended South High School in Omaha. Once her schooling was completed, Rita entered the workforce. 

On October 5, 1946, Rita was united in marriage to Louie E. Werner at the St. Francis of Assisi Church in Omaha. The couple was blessed with two children: Leonard and Louise. Louie passed away on March 7, 1984. Rita enjoyed being homemaker while her children were young. Once they were older, Rita was employed in the food service industry as a waitress. 

Rita was a lifelong resident of Omaha for over 90 years where she was a faithful and devoted member of the St. Therese of the Child Jesus Catholic Church and then the Holy Name Catholic Church. She was a caring and loving person who was involved in many church activities over the years and was devoted to the Blessed Mary. In 2019 Rita moved to Battle Creek, Iowa, to be closer to her daughter and became a member of the St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Danbury, Iowa. 

Rita enjoyed completing word searches, playing Bingo, crocheting, cooking, and baking. She often shared her baked goods with those at The Sherman Senior Center and Night Hawks. Rita liked tending to her flowers and animals (especially her dog, Kenya), making people laugh, and having fun. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who treasured time spent with her family. She will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved her.

Left to cherish her memory include her daughter Louise (Ron) Coyle of Danbury, IA; daughter-in-law Connie Werner of Omaha, NE; grandchildren: Chelsea (John) Bahle of Omaha, NE, Michelle (Donny) Drees of Mapleton, IA, Jennie (J.D.) Bell of Onawa, IA, Brian Werner of Omaha, NE, Anthony “Tony” Werner (Brittany Nelson) of Omaha, NE and Cory Werner of Omaha, NE; great-grandchildren: Peter, Theodore, Wesley, Francis and Jane Bahle, Tony and Jacob Werner; sister Stella Stawniak; sister-in-law Dorothy (Dick) Oles of Glenwood, IA; numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. 

She was preceded in death by her parents Stanley and Jennie Nowaczyk; her husband of 38 years, Louie Werner; son Leonard Werner; grandson Daniel Werner; brothers John (Mary) Nowaczyk and Mitchell (Mary) Nowaczyk; and sister Bernice Bryan.