Rita Loethen

Rita Mary Unnerstall Loethen, 80, of Jefferson City, passed away Sunday, November 13, 2011, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Rita was born in Washington, Missouri, on November 8, 1931, a daughter of Henry and Clara (Eckelkamp) Unnerstall. She attended St. Francis Borgia Grade School and was a 1949 graduate of St. Francis Borgia High School. She was married to Francis J. Aholt for 20 years and was united in marriage to Leonard J. Loethen in 1982. Together, Rita and Leonard were blessed with 27 years of marriage until his death on December 1, 2008. Rita worked for the State of Missouri in the Division of Highway Safety, Secretary of State Office and the Purchasing Department. She was a legislative assistant in the Missouri House of Representatives and the Missouri Senate. In 1980, Rita graduated Summa Cum Laude from Lincoln University with a degree in Business Administration and Political Science. She was one of the original members of the Cathedral of St. Joseph parish, where she was a weekly participant of the Blessed Sacrament Adorers. She proudly served as a room mother, Cub Scout and Girl Scout leader for the parish school. Rita was a member of Meadow Lake Acres Country Club and the Women's 50+ Golf Association. She volunteered with St. Mary's Health Center Auxiliary. In her free time, Rita enjoyed swimming and boating at the Lake of the Ozarks, dancing with clubs in both Jefferson City and the Lake. She was passionate about exercise and looked forward to her morning routine with friends at Capital Region Healthplex. A highlight for Rita was an annual trip to Florida with her children over the Thanksgiving holiday. Rita is survived by her three children: Doug Aholt and wife Monica Farley of Atlanta, Georgia, Missy Scovell and husband Mark Scovell of Prairie Village, Kansas, and Lisa Huff and husband David Huff of St. Louis, Missouri; and Leonard's sons: James (Maggie) Loethen, Donnie (Janet) Loethen, Mark (Jeannie) Loethen, David (Diana) Loethen and Steven (Mindy) Loethen, all of Jefferson City. Rita and Leonard together were blessed with 26 grandchildren, 24 great- grandchildren and one great- great-grandchild. Rita is also survived by one brother, James Unnerstall and his wife Theresa of Chicago, Illinois, and many wonderful and devoted nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and three older brothers: Elmer, Sparky and Harry Unnerstall. Friends will be received from 4:00 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Houser-Millard Funeral Home, where a prayer service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, November 18, 2011, at the Cathedral of St. Joseph with Fr. Nicholas Reid officiating. Graveside services and interment will be held at 3:00 p.m. Friday in the St. Francis Borgia Cemetery in Washington. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to the Helias Catholic High School Scholarship Fund, 1305 Swifts Highway, Jefferson City, MO 65109. Arrangements are under the direction of HOUSER-MILLARD Funeral Directors, 2613 W. Main St., (573) 636-3838. Condolences may be left for the family online at millardfamilychapels.com