Rita Lee Eckerdt

Rita was raised in Herndon. She attended Loretta Heights Nursing School in Denver, Colorado. While in Denver, she met her husband, Garret Eckerdt and they were married on May 11, 1949.

Rita loved reading and watching the Broncos. She also loved gardening, walking and playing Bridge. She spoke about how much she loved traveling to Europe with her sisters and the great fun they had. She was an active member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Loveland.

Rita is survived by her daughter, Linda (Kermit) Askin of Casper, Wyoming; son Garret F. (Teresa Butler) Eckerdt of Loveland, Colorado; daughters-in-law, Lisa Eckerdt of Las Vegas, Nevada and Vicki Eckerdt of Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico; seven grandchildren, Chris (Tasha) Askin of Westminster, Colorado, Dan Askin of Casper, Elizabeth Eckerdt of Louisville, Colorado, Matt Eckerdt and Tim (Jennifer) Eckerdt both of Las Vegas and Timea Eckerdt and Zane Eckerdt both of Ruidoso Downs and eight great-grandchildren. Rita is also survived by several nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Mathias and Elizabeth Hartner, sisters, Alice Farrell, Isabelle Barenberg, Esther Pennington, Joan Noble and Irene Portschy, brothers, Clarence Hartner, Clement Hartner, Francis Hartner and Harold Hartner and two sons, Tim Eckerdt of Ruidoso Downs and Ken Eckerdt of Las Vegas.

A Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, August 10, 2026 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 1730 West 12th Street, Loveland. Inurnment will take place at Saint Marys Cemetery in Herndon, Kansas.

Memorial gifts may be made in Rita's name to the charity of your choice.