Rita Jean Rehnelt

Rita Jean Rehnelt, 72, passed away peacefully on March 9, 2026, with her family by her side after a long courageous battle with M.S.Rita was born on July 2,1953 in Lake City, MN, the daughter of William and Bertha (Rademacher) Mischke. Rita grew up in Lake City and Wabasha area. Rita graduated from Wabasha-Kellogg High School in 1971. On June 1, 1974, Rita married Steve Rehnelt at St. Felix Catholic Church, Wabasha. They lived in Mazeppa, MN for several years before moving to Wabasha. When Rita wasn’t working at IBM, Rochester, MN, she enjoyed reading her many books. After retirement from IBM her love was going to garage sales and visiting with her many friends. In the last couple of years she enjoyed playing bingo and putting the may puzzles together with her dear family and friends. Rita was a member of the VFW Auxiliary, Wabasha.Rita is survived by her husband Steve of 52 years, nephew Beau Mischke and family, Aunt Gert Schuhammer, sisters-in-law Sandi (Harold) Brandt, Jeanette (Steve) Myers, Roberta (Mark) Aswegan; brothers-in-law: Michael (Lyla) Rehnelt, Robert Rehnelt and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Rita is preceded in death by her parents, William and Bertha; sister Catherine; brother Rob; step father Dean Schuhammer; father and mother-in-law Leonard and LeVonne Rehnelt.A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, June 13, 2026 from 1-5 p.m. at the VFW, 138 Second Street East, Wabasha, MN.The family wishes to send a special Thank You to the staff at the Lake City Nursing Home for their care and compassion, also all the special friends that Rita loved to gather with and visit. Rita deeply loved them all. Blessed be her memory. Services entrusted to Abbott Funeral Home & Crematory, Wabasha, MN. Words of sympathy or remembrance may be left at www.abbottfh.com