Rita Ann (Lombardi) Studenberg
February 16, 1939 – January 15, 2025
Rita Ann (Lombardi) Studenberg, age 85, passed away peacefully in her Omaha, Nebraska home on January 15, 2025.
Born in Madrid, Iowa, Rita always held her hometown close to her heart, making sure to reunite with her high school friends and classmates every year. She earned her teaching degree from the University of Northern Iowa before moving to Los Angeles, where she taught Drama and Literature at Garden Grove High School while pursuing her Master’s degree in literature. Among her many students was comedian and actor Steve Martin, whom she remembered as especially bright but also, tellingly, a class clown.
Rita later returned to the Midwest to be closer to family and eventually settled in Omaha, where she took a job as a Secretary for IBM. There, she put her talent for language and sharp mind to use refining proposals for a team of salesmen. A new team member, Jack Studenberg, caught her attention with his ability to infuse humor into mundane sales proposals. This would in time lead to a different kind of proposal. Jack and Rita were married in Colorado and lived in Nebraska, Iowa, and Arizona while having three children – Dana, Adam, and Alex.
They eventually settled back in Omaha and in 1985 Rita started a small computer rental business. She grew the venture to five locations in Nebraska and Iowa, complete with a fleet of delivery vans and a private plane to connect the stores. Her employees remember a driven and disciplined operator that always treated them like family.
After selling the business in 2010, Rita fully embraced retirement. She delighted in spoiling her beloved grandchildren, regularly visiting family in Italy, cherished visits to Arizona for warm weather with even warmer friends and family, talking with her sister and brother-in-law over coffee and bagels, making frequent phone calls with her brothers in Iowa, and hosting a weekly game of Mexican Train Dominoes with her friends. Her son-in-law and daughter-in-law were always shown the kind of love she reserved for her children, and they, in turn, believed they had “hit the mother-in-law jackpot.”
Rita’s boundless heart touched everyone she met. Her compassion extended to all creatures, ensuring every family pet felt her love. She was a regular supporter of the Humane Society and numerous other charities. Despite facing life’s challenges, Rita’s resilience, inner strength, and unwavering love brought light to everyone in her life. She leaves behind a legacy of kindness, humor, and a life well-lived.
She will be missed by so many whose lives were better for having met her.
Preceded in death by parents, Olga (Bagatti) and Esto Lombardi; Jack Studenberg; son, Adam.
Survived by children, Dana Blakely (Darren) and Alex (Laurie); grandchildren, Gabriel and Elizabeth; siblings: Aldo, Gloria (Larry), and Duane (Betty); many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are kindly requested to the Nebraska Humane Society.
MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Friday, January 24, 2025, 5:00PM, at Christ the King Catholic Church, 654 S 86th St, Omaha with VISITATION: from 4:00-5:00PM.
To view live broadcasts of the Service, please visit www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “Live Cast” button at the top of the home page.
9 Comments
Sorry for your loss.
So sorry for your loss. She was a terrific sister-in-law.
A classmate and forever best friend.
She had the biggest heart. I always enjoyed our telephone conversations talking about family, health and general topics of the day. She was a Saint and will ne missed.
I remember the first time meeting your mother, where she welcomed me with open arms into her home. We shared our Iowa connection, she was extraordinarily kind and I could see how much she loved her family. I’m so sorry for your loss, sending you strength and all my love.
Good friend. And classmate
My forever friend of 80 years. She was a wonderful friend to me & I will love her & always send her & your family my prayers. To, tell our families & friends hello. ❤️🙏
I met Rita when I moved to Madrid in 1951 and we became friends as well as classmates. When you became Rita’s friend that meant for ever friends. Basketball, cheerleaders but most of all Friends. She was always there for her family and friends. Loved you gal!! Vera Grow Hick
My condolences to Rita’s family and friends. She was my first manager when I returned from college many years ago and worked at RAC where I had the pleasure of also working with Adam and Alex.
Sign Guestbook