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Rita J. Jenkins

Rita J. Jenkins, 85, of River Falls passed away April 30, 2018, at the Kinnic Health and Rehab Care Center. Rita was born January 18, 1933, in Troy Township, St. Croix County in rural Hudson, to Jacob and Amelia (Feyereisen) Ruemmele. She graduated from Hudson High School, Class of 1950, and earned a teaching degree from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls in 1954. She was united in marriage to Douglas Jenkins on August 14, 1965, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Hudson. Rita taught kindergarten for 40 years with St. Paul Public Schools, retiring in 1994. She and Doug also owned and operated the Das Spielhaus/Roller Rink in River Falls for nearly 30 years. In addition to skating, the local venue was a popular wedding dance site and is also remembered for bringing in nationally-known acts including the Beach Boys, Conway Twitty, Jerry Lee Lewis and George Hamilton IV. Rita also owned and operated This N That second hand shop in River Falls. She loved meeting new people at the store and searching for her merchandise.

After retiring, Rita and Doug treasured their time away “up north,” and were fortunate to share travels to Germany with her’s folks, exploring their family heritage. Rita was a member of St. Bridget Catholic Church. She enjoyed crafting and sewing and made lots of different items including stained glass art.

Rita will remain in the hearts of her sister, Dorothy Smith of Bayport, MN; sister-in-law, Kathleen Jenkins of River Falls; many special nieces and nephews, other relatives, and dear friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Doug; her parents; sisters, infant Mary Ann Ruemmele and Marjorie Gavin, and brother, Jim Ruemmele.

A Memorial Mass will be held for Rita at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 5, 2018 at St. Bridget Catholic Church, 211 E. Division St., River Falls. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at church on Saturday. Memorials are preferred to St. Bridget Catholic Church.

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