Obituary of Rita Schaaf

Rita Mary Schaaf passed away on March 2, 2014 at the age of 85. Rita Mary was born on June 17, 1928 to Joseph A. Staab and Regina M. Sudtelgte in Remsen, Iowa. She graduated from St. Mary's High School in 1946 and attended Briar Cliff College in Sioux City, Iowa. Rita moved to Oregon in 1951 and married Edward Schaaf on September 3, 1960. Soon after Rita moved to Oregon, she worked as a bookkeeper for Pacific Auto Supply. She then became an active partner with Ed at River Road Building Supply. Later she worked as a supervisor at Chase Gardens, and then as a clerk for the U.S. Postal Service. She was always a diligent worker. Rita's faith and her family defined her life. She and Ed were founding members of St. Jude's Catholic Church. She was a volunteer with the Altar Society and regularly attended daily mass and parish social activities. Most importantly, she was a devoted wife and mother. Her children and grand children will always remember the "care packages" with homemade cookies and of course plenty of local newspaper clippings with her informative annotations. She always treasured growing up on a farm in Iowa and maintained a close relationship with her extended family. She is survived by her husband of 53 years Ed, and her two children, Brian (Maureen) of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and Julie (Macy) Lawrence of Portland and five grandchildren, Kathleen, Lizzie, Matthew, Alison, and Claire. Also surviving is a brother Roman Staab of Remsen, Iowa and numerous nieces and nephews. Rita is preceded in death by her brother Ervin Staab and sisters Helen Wiederholt, Elizabeth Schilmoeller, and Doris Reilly. A memorial service to celebrate Rita's life will be held on Saturday, March 8th at St. Jude's Catholic Church at 11 am. The mass will be followed by a reception at the church social hall Arrangements entrusted to Musgrove Family Mortuary. Please access the obituary and you are invited to sign the guestbook at musgroves.com