Rita Muffenbier
Feb. 2, 1940 – Nov. 5, 2022
Rita Ann Muffenbier, the daughter of Fred and Veronica (Hoffart) Wangler was born on February 2, 1940 in Balta, North Dakota. She died at the age of 82 years on Saturday, November 5, 2022 at her home in Balta, North Dakota.
Rita was raised in the home of her parents with her eight siblings. She attended school in Balta and graduated from Balta High School. While she was in school, she helped at the family’s Café in Balta and also worked for the nuns, where she cooked and cleaned. After she completed her education, she worked at Jacobson’s department store and at the bakery. While working at the bakery, she got the idea to bake wedding cakes and not only did she bake the wedding cakes, she also put the floral arrangements together, decorated, had a champagne fountain and did it all herself. On October 5, 1963, she was united in marriage to Robert Wesley Muffenbier in Balta, North Dakota and she did make her own wedding cake. The couple was blessed with their daughter, Karla, who they were so proud of. She took care of their household, family and continued to bake wedding cakes.
Wesley and Rita enjoyed traveling, they made many trips across the United States visiting family. They also made trips to Germany to visit their daughter and her family while they were stationed there in the USAF. Rita was always working, keeping busy and making sure everyone was taken care of and fed. Because of her love of cooking and baking, she always had food and everyone enjoyed having supper at her house. She also loved anything to do with crafting, sewing clothing, quilts, clothes for barbies, dolls and many other things. When the summer months were here, she enjoyed gardening and had many potted flowers surrounding her house. After Wesley retired, they did everything together and worked well together. They were the love of each other’s life and did not like to be apart. She was a member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Balta. Rita went through life with a smile on her face, who had a blessed life, was proud of her family and will be dearly missed.
Rita is survived by her daughter, Karla (Chreas) Kratzer of Stewartstown, PA; grandsons, Carson and Easton Kratzer; siblings, Delores McDowell of Iberia, MO, Bernice (Leo) Broden of Devils Lake, Richard (Mary) Wangler of Rugby, Carol Goldade of Velva, Rose (Richard) Aberle of Minot, Jim (Sandy) Wangler of San Diego and Eugene (Melody) Wangler of Castlerock, CO; sister-in-law, Theresa Wangler of Balta; Wesley’s family; several nieces, nephews; other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband on July 12, 2022; her brother, Leonard and her parents.
Mass of Christian burial was held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, November 11 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Balta with burial in the church cemetery. Father John Aerts, Celebrant.
Organist: Glenda Mack
Vocal leader/Cantor: Samantha Wentz
Reader: Julie Baustad
Gift Bearers: Val Goldade, Sue Goldade
Casket Bearers: Carson Kratzer, Easton Kratzer, John Wangler, Rob Goldade, Kevin Muffenbier & Rod Muffenbier
Arrangements with the Anderson Funeral Home of Rugby. Online registry: www.funeralsbyanderson.com