Rita Ann Shaffer
May 17, 1952 — August 30, 2013
Rita Ann Shaffer passed away Friday, August 30, 2013 at Community Hospital in McCook. She was 61 years old.
Rita was born on May 17, 1952 on the family farm in Frontier County to parents, Glen E. and Helen (Halley) Swayne. She was baptized into the Methodist Church as an infant. She graduated from McCook High School in 1970.
On June 12, 1970 she was united in marriage to Merlin Shaffer at the Methodist Church in McCook. They made their home in Trenton where she was residing at the time of her death.
Rita was a CNA, purchasing agent, and worked in house keeping at El Dorado Manor. She had a passion for hunting and fishing. That enthusiasm for the sport and her love of young people was apparent with her dedication and volunteerism. Rita was a Hunter Gun and Safety instructor for the Game and Parks, Bow Hunter instructor, and 4-H Shooting Sports instructor for many years in several southwest Nebraska counties. Her love and interest for those young people continued as she followed them in all of their sports activities.
Other hobbies of Rita included gardening, knitting, photography and crafts. She had a fervent passion for all animals especially her cats and dogs. She loved spending time with her family especially her nieces and nephews.
Preceding her in death were her father, Glen Swayne; infant twin siblings, Jack and Jaquetha; brothers-in-law, Myron Schmidt and Robert Lipska; and great-nephew, Thomas King.
Survivors include her husband, Merlin Shaffer of Trenton; her mother, Helen Swayne of McCook; two sisters, Carolyn Schmidt of McCook and Lila Lipska of Bridgeport; nephews, Bob Lipska and wife, Karla, of Palisade and Aaron Schmidt of McCook; niece, Karen and husband, Kevin King, of Persia, IA; and four great nieces and nephews, John and Kyle King and Izabella and Nathaniel Schmidt; numerous family and a host of friends.
Memorials may be given in her name.
Visitation will be Tuesday, September 3, 2013, 1-8:00 p.m. at Carpenter Breland Funeral Home in McCook.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2013, 10:00 a.m. at the Church of God in Trenton with Pastor Timothy Roberts officiating. Burial will follow in the Trenton Cemetery.