Rita A. Smedra

Rita A. Smedra

October 26, 1925 – September 23, 2020

Preceded in death by husband, Louis; and grandson, Danny Smedra.  Survived by children: Terry Smedra (Bernadette), Rhonda Jones (Mike), Myron Smedra (Judy) and Charlene Schadler (Shawn); 14 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and brother, Dennis Maciejewski (Pearl).

ROSARY: Wednesday, September 30^th,9am, at St. Thomas More Catholic Church (4804 Grover St.) followed by MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL at 10am.  INTERMENT: Calvary Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorials to Legion of Mary, Nebraska Heart Association or Masses.  Masks Requested.

To view a live broadcast of the Rosary, Mass and Graveside Service, go to www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “View Live Service” button on the homepage.

Rita was born to Paul and Anna Maciejewski, on the family farm in Ashton, Nebraska on October 26, 1925. She was a hard-working daughter. She plucked chickens, milked cows, and churned butter. Rita had one sibling, Dennis, whom she adored.

After graduating in 1943 from Loup City High School, Rita taught at a country school for three years in North Loup, Nebraska.

While serving as a bridesmaid in her friend Agnes’s wedding in May of 1945, she stood up with a handsome young man named Louie Smedra. They soon began dating and were married a year later on May 28, 1946.

Farm life was not for Rita. She and Louie packed up and moved to Omaha, Nebraska, where they both secured jobs with Kelloggs Cereal starting at 60 cents an hour. Rita worked there as a lab technician for 33 years, retiring in 1983 at the age of 58.

During their 56 years together Rita and Louie became the proud parents to four children, two boys and two girls. They built a home in 1957 and raised their family in the St. Thomas More Parish. Rita continued to live in this home until the time of her passing. She was an active member of the Legion of Mary for 37 years. She volunteered at nursing homes saying the Rosary with the residents. After retirement, Rita and Louis attended Adoration weekly at St. Thomas More. After Louie’s death in 2002 she continued Adoration until April of this year.

Louie and Rita loved to travel. They went on fishing trips to Minnesota, Las Vegas with friends, cruises, and many bus trips with Mercy Tours. These tours took them to the Smokey Mountains, an east coast historical adventure, and five baseball stadium visits, just to name a few. Rita took a trip to Poland in 2003 with her brother, Dennis. Her Polish heritage was very important to her as she could speak the language since childhood.

She was a baseball fan. Her favorite teams were the Braves, Cubs, and Yankees.

Rita and Louie built their dream home on lakefront property at Beave Lake in 1980, enjoying many years of fishing and relaxing with family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Louis; grandson, Danny Smedra. She is survived by her children: Terry Smedra (Bernadette), Rhonda Jones (Mike), Myron Smedra (Judy), Charlene Schadler (Shawn); 14 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; brother, Dennis Maciejewski (Pearl).