Rita and Jack welcomed us as neighbors in 1999 and treated us like family right from the start. Rita was like a grandmother to our sons Zane and Pierce and I recall many conversations with her while standing on the driveway. Easter egg hunts in our yard for the big kids and for the little ones in her yard always brightened Easter Sunday.  Kathy enjoyed singing with Rita in the Fort Smith Chorale. She was a blessing to her family, friends and neighbors! We all loved her like family. 

Helfrich family,  we are praying for all of you during this difficult time; Rita was one of kind and I feel very blessed to have known her, to have prayed with her, sang with her and worked along side her on different functions at school and at church; as you know we are dealing with Dad and Alzheimer/s, dementia; one of our funniest memories these last couple years involved Rita; we were alternating staying with Dad while Mom was in the hospital; at one point Dad said, I'll be fine alone, if I get lonely, I'll just call Rita to come stay with me- we all had a good laugh- love and comfort to all of you
Lisa Seiter Cullen

My aunt Rita, although we never had spent much time together as I wished we could have, she was thought of and loved often.
  Our condolences to her family.  If anyone in this world was blessed she was.  Jon R., Jon W., Jessica & Niya Schenk

Love, love, love this woman. She inspired a greater depth of spirituality. May perpetual light shine upon her. 

On the Fourth of July, her children and grandchildren would dress patriotic and March in Eastwood neighborhood. 🇺🇸 

Some of my best childhood memories were spent at the Helfrich home.  My mom (Nadine Dempewolf)  and Rita were great friends. We would often stay for dinner and then have a great sing a long at the piano.  I remember my favorite dinner was Burgo.  I'm sure I didn't spell it right, but I'm here to tell you, I love that stuff.  I think about it all the time actually.  I am so fortunate to have grown up with my mom and Rita.  They had some fun now.  They were both outgoing and the life's of the party.  To all of you, my prayers are with you.  I will not be able to attend the funeral or rosary, but my thoughts will be with you.  By the way, a little footnote...Terri sang at my mother's funeral.  "HEAR OH LORD THE SOUND OF MY CALL.  HEAR OH LORD AND HAVE MERCY"  I will never forget that.  Mary Jane Dempewolf Smith

So sorry to hear about Ms Rita. She had a personality that was bigger than life. Her extreme Charity goes without saying…she gave a piece of her love to all she came across in life. The greatest of all gifts is Charity.  Our neighborhood will miss her. I feel so fortunate to have visited with her at the Mercy Clinic 2 or 3 weeks ago.  It was Gods way of letting me spend some final moments with her.  God’s Speed in bringing her home to rest in the cradle of his loving arms. 

So sorry to Aunt Rita’s family who she dearly loved. She was always a delight to be around with her funny stories and lovely laugh! And that singing voice was a blessed delight! She will truly be missed but her legacy lives on through her children and grandchildren! 

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Rita M Helfrich

30 août 1933 – 19 décembre 2022

Edwards Funeral Home

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