Rita Ferneding

Visitation and Prayers Friday, July 31, 2009, After 3:00 PM
Rosary 3:30 PM - Catholic Daughters of the Americas
Prayer Service 7:00 PM - Sacred Heart Parish
Ohde Funeral Home, Manning Iowa
Visitation will resume Saturday at 9:00 AM Sacred Heart Church, Templeton
Mass of Christian Burial Saturday, August 1, 2009, 10:00 AM
Sacred Heart Church, Templeton, Iowa
Celebrant Reverend Dale E. Reiff
Lector Hannah Warner
Eucharistic Minister Joea Kemper
Music “Amazing Grace” “How Great Thou Art” “Hosea” “On Eagles Wings”
Sacred Heart Men’s Choir
Jeanne Kerkhoff, Organist
Casket Bearers - Grandchildren: Gary Ferneding, Tim Ferneding, Beth Bandow, Becky Muhlbauer, Doug Ferneding, Jill Venner, Jenny Martin, Dan Ferneding, Matt Schroeder, Angie Becker, Josh Schroeder, Brian Ferneding, Amy Hasenclever, Abby Ferneding, Kelly Ferneding, John Ferneding, Lance McNaught, Shelby Beers, Holly Warner, Heidi Warner, Hannah Warner
Interment Sacred Heart Cemetery Templeton, Iowa


Rita Ella, daughter of Frank and Elizabeth (Drees) Dentlinger, was born September 16, 1919, near Halbur, Iowa. She attended St. Augustine School in Halbur. Rita served many Halbur area families as mother’s helper for years.

On October 18, 1944, she was united in marriage with Alvin Ferneding at St. Augustine Church in Halbur. They made their home on a farm near Templeton and were the parents of eight children. Rita took care of a large vegetable and flower garden and enjoyed baking and quilting. One of her great pleasures was caring for her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a member of Sacred Heart Parish in Templeton, Catholic Daughters of the Americas and Sacred Heart Guild. Rita volunteered at Sacred Heart School and Church and in 1986 was recognized with the Governor’s Volunteerism Award. In addition, she was a member of the VFW Auxiliary and a faithful volunteer at the New Hope Village Bargain Shop.

After the death of her husband in 2004, Rita remained in their home. When Rita’s health began to fail she became a resident of the Manning Plaza Nursing Home only a month before her death there on Wednesday, July 29, 2009, at the age of 89 years, 10 months and 13 days.

Preceding Rita in death are her parents; husband; son Mike in 2007; parents-in-law Frank and Rose Ferneding; brothers Wilbur, John, Al, Ambrose and Francis Dentlinger; sisters Marie Siepker and Anita Dentlinger; sisters-in-law Neva Dentlinger and Catherine Dentlinger and brother-in-law Paul Ferneding.

She is survived by four sons: Lonnie Ferneding and wife Betty of Manning; Gene Ferneding and wife Mary of Carroll; Jim Ferneding and wife Joyce of Manning and Mark Ferneding of Templeton; three daughters: Kay and husband Steve Schroeder of Kingsley; Jane McNaught and Tom Timperley of Omaha, Nebraska and Joni and husband Mike Warner of Manning; daughter-in-law Jean Ferneding of Manning; 21 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; brother Norm Dentlinger and wife Katherine of Coon Rapids; sisters-in-law Rita Dentlinger of Manning, Mary Dentlinger of Audubon, Lillian Ferneding of Carroll and brother-in-law George Siepker of Gray; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.