Rita Montelle Poole Hausmann

Rita was born on the family farm on August 8, 1927 in Gibson County, Tennessee to Angie Brown and Carey Franklin Poole. She died on March 31, 2023 in Portland, Oregon at age 95 after a recent fall. Rita was the third of 4 siblings and the oldest of her living cousins. At the age of 3 her family moved to St. Louis Missouri, joining other family members who had relocated during the Great Depression.

From a young age, Rita was interested in dance, and her parents provided opportunities for her through community recreation programs in St. Louis. She also taught herself to play the piano by following the keys on a player piano her parents acquired. Rita was a very dedicated student with an inquiring mind, graduating from high school at the age of 16 and vice president of her class. A fiery, left-handed redhead, she met her future husband while attending Soldan High School in St. Louis. Losing both of her parents by the age of 21, she put herself through college by working and earning scholarships and graduated from Washington University in St. Louis in 1949, earning a bachelor’s degree in English and Education.

In 1951, after the end of WWII, Rita married her high school sweetheart, Frank Gayle Hausmann. Rita and Gayle traveled cross-country to California early in their marriage where Gayle, who had been a Marine during WWII, was called to duty a 2nd time during the Korean Conflict and was stationed at Camp Pendleton. During the early years of their marriage, Rita was employed as a teacher in California, St. Louis, and Illinois, teaching both English and P.E.

Rita and Gayle eventually moved back to St. Louis, Missouri and then to Cleveland, Ohio and along the way had three children; Alice, Frank, and Anne. During their early years in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, Rita opened her own dance studio for children. The family lived in multiple cities in Ohio through the years including Chagrin Falls, Dayton, Westlake, and Bay Village. Her life took an adventurous turn when in 1973 her husband Gayle, who had also graduated from Washington University and was working as an engineer for Sohio Oil Company, was promoted and transferred to Anchorage, Alaska to work on the Trans-Alaska Pipeline project. Rita provided a solid foundation for the family, raising their children and supporting her husband in his career advancement. She and her family lived in Anchorage from 1974-1979 and again from 1981 to 1986, eventually retiring in 1986 to Bull Mountain in Tigard, Oregon. While in Alaska, Rita explored various parts of Alaska, bought herself a pair of cross-country skis, and was an active member of the Petroleum Wives Club. One of her greatest joys was the condo she and Gayle purchased on Maui. They enjoyed many trips to Hawaii together, and their Maui condo provided a temporary escape from the harsh Alaskan winters.

During retirement Rita was very active as a member of the King City Women’s Golf League, winning many trophies which impressed her young grandchildren. She and her husband enjoyed hosting their children and grandchildren at their home on Bull Mountain in Tigard. Rita and Gayle also continued to enjoy trips to Maui and Palm Springs, California. Rita most recently resided at MorningStar Assisted Living Facility in Beaverton where she was cared for by a dedicated and loving team.

Rita is predeceased by her parents Angie and Carey Poole, her sisters Jennette and Delores, her brother Carey, her husband Frank Gayle, and grandchild Christopher Fay. She is survived by her children and grandchildren; daughter Alice Fay (Terry) and their children Matthew and Michael, her son Frank Hausmann and his children Elizabeth, Rachel, and Peter, and her daughter Anne McGreevy (Dan) and their children Connor and Alec. She is also survived by her great grandchildren Beau, Sloane, and Kyani. The family plans to have a small private family gathering to honor Rita’s life. Rita will be interred with her husband at Willamette National Cemetery. The family would also like to thank the caring medical staff at OHSU.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.finleysunsethills.com for the Hausmann family.