Rita Wise

Rita Henry Wise

Memorial services for Rita Henry Wise, age 62, were held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, November 3, 1995, at the Bader Funeral Home in Lusk with Rev. Marion Canterbury officiating.

Mrs. Wise died Monday, October 30, 1995, at the Niobrara County Nursing Home in Lusk. She was born February 13, 1933, at Squaw Creek in Sioux County, Neb., the daughter of Charlie and Alma Eberspecher Henry. Rita was very proud that she greeted her world weighing in at 13 1/2 lbs.

Rita attended school in Harrison, Neb., and graduated from Sioux County High School in 1951. She then attended Chadron State College.

On November 8, 1952, she married George Babcock Jr. at Chadron, Neb. To this union her two children, Robert Wright and Janet Lorraine Babcock, were born. Rita and her children later moved to Lusk, where Rita was employed by George Gibson at Midwest Skellgas. She was eventually employed by Dr. Fred Reckling at Spencer Hospital.

Rita and her children were active members of St. George's Episcopal Church. Rita was a member of St. George's choir. She enjoyed being a member of the Lusk Melodrama Troup that performed at the 1962 Seattle World's Fair. Rita was a member of the Niobrara Country Club and the BPOE Does.

Rita and her children moved to Redwood City, Calif., where she was employed as a librarian for the Sequoia School District. She was later employed as a bookkeeper for the Babcock Insurance Brokerage.

On July 5, 1980, Rita and Charles Wise were married in Redwood City, Calif. Upon their retirement in 1988, Rita and Charlie moved to Van Tassell, where both were active in their community.

Rita enjoyed returning to St. George's Episcopal Church where she was a member of the Daughters of the King. She liked to play cards, visit with friends and was an avid reader. She was very proud of her children and grandchildren.

Rita was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Charles and Henry Henry; one sister, Frances Worley and one stepson, Ray Wise.

Survivors include her husband, Charles Wise of Van Tassell; her children and grandchildren - Robert Babcock and children, Robbie and Katie of Redwood City, Calif.; Janet Babcock and children, Christopher and Kevin, of Burlingame, Calif.; a stepdaughter, Norma Hanson and her children, Tina and Sara of San Carlos, Calif.; one brother, John Henry of Albuquerque, N.M.; a sister and brother-in-law, Marcella and Glenn Fitch of Harrison; and nieces and nephews - Suzanne Price, Philip Henry, Paul Henry, and Mary Beth Heyne.

Memorials to either the Lusk/Niobrara County Emergency Medical Technicians or to the Niobrara County Nursing Home will be appreciated by the family.

Bader Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

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