Rita G. Mockler

She was born in Union, Missouri to a family of humble means, in the “little house on the hill.” She graduated from Brentwood High School in St. Louis, MO and had a couple of jobs, including flight attendant, until meeting her future husband, Gary W. Mockler. Gary was in the Marine Corps when they met and was soon after stationed in Quantico, Virginia. Rita and Gary were married in the Chapel on the

Marine base in 1962.

After Gary’s time in the Marines, they moved back to St. Louis and Gary was hired by Anheuser-Busch. They would move six times with his various promotions and then purchased what would become Mockler Beverage Company in Baton Rouge, LA in 1987. All told they were together for 57 years, until Gary’s passing in 2020, and they lived in Quantico, St. Louis, Kansas City, Baton Rouge, Houston, Dallas, back to St. Louis, and then back to Baton Rouge in 1987. Rita grew up as a tomboy in rural Missouri and loved to fish, a pastime she learned from her grandmother. In fact, in Baton Rouge she had a trailer hitch installed on her Cadillac so she could tow her boat all over Louisiana with her dear friend, Joan Kimbrough. In the late 2000’s, Rita survived cancer and was featured in a Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center TV commercial as “Rita Mockler, the happy, fishing grandmother.” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4t3AUWZbF_w).

Along with fishing, Rita enjoyed the simple things in life: spending time with grandkids, cooking special meals, working on her extensive array of plants, and she loved her dogs. In later years, Gary and Rita enjoyed watching old movies together, especially “The Classics”. They would laugh and cry together no matter how many times they had seen a particular movie. Rita, also known as “Maca” by her grandchildren and loved ones, will be forever missed by those who knew her. She was kind and caring, loving, thoughtful, and spiritual…simply a lovely person.

Rita Mockler is survived by her two sons, Timothy and wife Kimberly, Patrick and wife Shelley; grandchildren Taylor Scelfo and husband Dominick (their son Sam, and one on the way), Ryan, Shelby (her daughter Juliet and son Roman), Erin, Riley, Sean, Brynn, Patrick and Cooper; Altogether 9 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, Kevin Gardner; nephew Dana Wehrle and wife Susan; niece Laura Schultz and husband Steve.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Gary Mockler; her parents Ray and Jackie

Gardner; sister Dixie and husband Don Wehrle; mother-in-law and father-in-law Peggy and Edward Mockler; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Yvonne and Edward Mockler; niece Beth Poe; and nephew Michael Mockler.

The Mockler family extends special thanks to Gary and Rita’s wonderful caregivers for 9 years Fay

Hunt, Kay Duvall, and Laurie Quebedeaux, we call them ”Mockler’s Angels”. We know with certainty that they lived longer and better lives and were able to stay in their own home because of you. We can’t thank you enough and we love you! We also want to thank Eucharistic Minister, Stacy Briggs Dille, for her 8 years of steadfast service and friendship. Rita and Gary treasured your visits.

The Mockler family truly appreciates the outpouring of love, prayers, and support we have received during this most difficult time, with special thanks to Father Paul Yi and Father Jeffery Bayhi.

Visitation will be at St. George Catholic Church (7808 St. George Dr., Baton Rouge, LA 70809) on Monday, June 30, 2025, beginning at 9:00am with Mass at 11:00 a.m. Immediately followed by a private family burial at the St. George Cemetery.

Both Rita and Gary were treated successfully at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, and both were helped by Audubon Hospice of Baton Rouge. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Mary Bird Perkins (https://marybird.org) or Audubon Hospice (225-924-6830) in the name of Rita Mockler.

“I am made glorious in the sight of the Lord, and my God is now my strength.” Isaiah 49:5