Rita Adella DeRemer (Schwartz), 93, of Austin, Minn., died Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012, at home after a short illness.

She was born Oct. 12, 1919, in Windom Township (Rose Creek) to Charles and Elizabeth Schwartz. Rita attended school in Rose Creek and Austin, graduating from Austin High School in 1937. After meeting Lynn DeRemer on a double date they were married on Feb. 20, 1939.

When World War II broke out, she followed Lynn to Buckley Airfield in Denver, Colo., and worked various jobs while he was stationed there. She loved cooking and taking care of her nine children. She happily welcomed 27 grandchildren, traveling throughout the U.S. and Europe for many of their births. Rita considered her 14 great-grandchildren an added blessing. She also enjoyed gardening, dancing, cross stitching and volunteering for Meals on Wheels for 35 years. She was actively involved at Queen of Angels Church and School and the Mower County ARC. She and Lynn were members of the American Legion, VFW and the Eagles Club for many years.

Rita was preceded in death by her husband Lynn; parents; brothers, Clarence and Chuck; sisters, Alice and Florence; grandson, Scott Beimdiek; and granddaughter, Sara Bellrichard. She is survived by her nine children, Sharon (Roland) Piller of Wausau, Wis., Janice (Bill) Beimdiek of Park Rapids, Minn., Richard (Carol) DeRemer of Mendota Heights, Minn., Deanna (Dee) Hanson of Wheat Ridge, Colo., Kathie (Gregg) Bellrichard of San Antonio, Texas, Mary (Michael) Zehner of Maple Grove, Minn., Suzanne “Suzie” Wagner of Austin, Debra “Debbie” DeRemer of Fairbault, Minn., Regina “Gina” (Ed) Budde of St. Michael, Minn.; 25 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; her brother Larry Schwartz; and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral mass for Rita DeRemer will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2012, at Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Austin, with Father Dale Tupper officiating. There will be visitation at the church one hour prior to service time. Visitation will be held on Monday, Oct. 22, 2012, from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at the Mayer Funeral Home in Austin, with a prayer service at 5:30 p.m. and rosary at 6 p.m. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery of Austin. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Mower County ARC. Mayer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.