Rita Vae Lobdell passed away on March, 12, 2014 at her mother's home following a short, but hard-fought battle with cancer. Rita was born on August 26, 1943 in Freeport, IL and she was the daughter of, and only child born to her loving parents, William and Ethel (Neebel) Lobdell. Rita graduated Freeport High School in the class of 1961. She is survived by her mother Ethel, of Lena, IL, and numerous cousins, endeared friends, and her pet cats Jake and Misty. She was preceded in death by her father William J. Lobdell on October 27, 1995.

Soon after graduating high school Rita began a long, successful career in the air travel industry. She was employed by Northwest Airlines, New York Air, Sabena World Airlines where she was Assistant Station Manager, Boston, Massachusetts, and Lufthansa Airlines where she achieved the lofty status of Station Manager in Detroit, Michigan. Rita received many accolades and certifications during her career, but she was proud to have had the opportunity to twice fly on the Concord supersonic jet.

Rita retired from the stress and success in the supersonic life, and she returned to Lena to be closer to her mother and her roots. She took a job at DeVoe Floral Shop, went to school to learn floral arranging, and received her certificate in floral design. Rita was later employed by Natural Healing Express in Lena, IL.

Rita found great value and personal growth in her religion, her love of God and Church. Rita was a member of the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Lena where she regularly attended services, bible studies, and served as Vice-President of the Church Council.

Rita loved Lena, and she put her energy toward helping to make it a better town for all of its citizens and its visitors. Rita was a member of the Lena Lions Club, a community service club in which her father was a charter member. In 2013 she was named the Lion of the Year, the club's highest honor. She was also a member of the Lena Business & Professional Association for which she served as Co-Chairperson of the Events Committee, hosting the Taste of Lena for which she founded the Classic Car Show.

Rita's life was filled with activities that gave her great joy. Rita enjoyed traveling, especially with her mother, Ethel. She especially enjoyed trips to Hong-Kong and the Orient, Nova Scotia and Haiti. She loved her car that she affectionately named "Stella", she loved to listen to a variety of genres of music, including big band, country and jazz. Rita loved reading the New York Times, keeping up on current fashion trends, and collecting antiques and dolls. She also got great joy from collecting John Deere merchandise. Lastly, Rita loved all animals, especially cats.

Rita was an inspiration to all who knew her and loved her. She was strong and she knew the value of a good life. As she laid in a hospital bed in a room full of doctors, lawyers, family and friends, having just been given a diagnosis that would have weakened many, Rita took control, as she had so many times in so many meetings, when she said,

"I have a diagnosis of cancer in my body for which there is no treatment or cure. I know my time is limited and I have been given my options. I choose quality of life in my few remaining days over any limited benefits of the treatments offered. I choose quality for me, quality for my Mom, and quality for my friends. I want to spend my last days with my mother and my friends. I mean, the cancer is about me, but life is about all of us. I can't get rid of what I have, but I will live my final days with as much quality as I can with all of them."

And that is what she did. Those days were few but they were lived with as much quality, grace, and dignity as her situation allowed. She lived them Rita's Way.

Visitation will be Sunday, March 16, 2014 from 2:00-5:00PM at Leamon Funeral Home Lena, IL.

Funeral services will be held Monday, March 17, 2014, at 10:00AM at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Lena, IL.

Officiating will be Pastor Miranda Klosterboer.Burial will be held immediately following the funeral service in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Freeport, IL, with a luncheon following the burial at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.

A Celebration of Life fellowship will follow at 6:00PM at the Lena Community Center.

A memorial has been established in Rita's name.