Mareta "Rita" Rupprecht

All who knew Mareta Rupprecht would agree that she was truly beautiful on the inside and out. She was guided by her unwavering faith throughout her life, her life a shining example of what it means to be the hands and feet of the Lord she loved. Mareta was deeply devoted to her family, and although she treasured her roles as a wife and mother she just might have argued that nothing was better than becoming a grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother. Driven and hardworking, she encouraged her children to be their very best. Life will never be the same without Mareta here, but she leaves behind a timeless legacy that her loved ones will proudly carry on in her footsteps.

The year 1929 is often remembered as the year that the historic crash of the stock market sent our nation and much of the world spiraling down into the depths of the Great Depression that covered our nation for the decade that followed. It was just prior to that historic October day that Julius and Norma (Holdredge) Bedtka were pleased to announce the birth of their baby girl they named Mareta on June 29, 1929, in Rochester, Minnesota. Raised on the family farm north of Dover, she was the youngest of five as she was joined in the family by her older brothers, Paul, Donald, and Harold, and her sister, Marion. As a child she spent a lot of time with her Grandma Holdredge, and she also helped her father and brothers with the farm chores and workhorses. Mareta attended local schools and graduated from Dover High School in 1947.

After high school Mareta worked as a telephone operator, but it was her introduction to the young man of her dreams that was of the greatest significance during this time. His name was Kenneth Rupprecht, and they enjoyed old time dancing at the Play Mor and Redmans Ballroom. They fell in love, and with a desire to establish a life together Mareta and Ken were married on September 16, 1949, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Lewiston. Together they farmed near Lewiston and St. Charles all their married lives, but what was of the utmost importance was the children they raised together. Mareta and Ken welcomed three children including Patricia, Diane, and Darrel into their hearts and home. As a mother she could be demanding, but she just wanted her kids to achieve great things. "Do it right the first time," and, "You have the ability to do that," were among the things she commonly told her children.

Life with Mareta at the helm was always an adventure. She woke her children up every morning by yelling, "Uppy, uppy, uppy!" from the bottom of the steps, and since their old farmhouse was cold the kids slept with their clothes for the next day in bed with them so the clothes were warm for dressing the next morning. Darrel was known to sleepwalk, so Mareta kept a wet, frozen wash cloth in the freezer to throw on his chest to wake him up from his walk! Family vacations with the kids were always to the Minnesota State Fair, but there was always plenty of farm chores so vacations were limited. When field work had to be done, Mareta and Pam would do all the chores to keep Ken and Darrel working sun up to sun down in the fields. While doing chores, she always wore a surgical cap over her hair to keep from having to fix her hair later. On one occasion, they thought Mareta had slept late. When they went to check on her, they found she was scared to get out of bed because their dog, Mick, scared her by barking angrily at his reflection in the bedroom mirror. They had a strong community in their rural neighborhood and were great friends with the Golish, the Biers, the Reisdorf, the Mueller, the Ihrke, the Mayer, the Ryan, the Thompson, and the Messerschmidt families. All of these neighborhood kids had the best time growing up together. Mareta worked very hard as a farmer's wife whether she was helping drive tractor, milking cows, or feeding calves.

Within her community, Mareta was actively involved. She was active as a 4-H leader for many years, even after her kids were grown. Mareta was consistently involved in various community events in Dover, Elba, Plainview, and St. Charles. Her faith was very important to her, and she was a longtime member of St. Matthews Lutheran Church. There, Mareta was part of the Ladies Aid, Bible studies, and LWML. For many years she chaired the St. Matthew Church election day chicken dinner, and for years she helped with the Christmas pageant. When recently cleaning out her house, Mareta's children discovered the 32 gallon jars that were used for the broth/gravy for the church dinner. Later in life she achieved another goal by graduating from RCTC in the Certified Nursing Assistant program. Mareta then helped with hospice patients and enjoyed visiting shut ins whether at home, assisted living, or nursing home situations. She also belonged to the Plainview Quilters, Rochester Quilters, and Quincy Homemakers. She was a former 4-H leader of the Quincy Ramblers 4-H club.

Throughout her life Mareta was always busy. She was an avid quilter. Mareta enjoyed crafts of all kinds and as an outdoor lover she enjoyed gardening. Her yard always had to be perfect, and when she was no longer able to do the work she directed Darrel on exactly what to do so it was done just the way she liked it. Mareta loved both cooking and baking, and she became famous for her chocolate chip cookies. In fact, she rarely went to any kind of function whether a family or friend occasion without them. When grandchildren began arriving, Mareta was filled with unspeakable joy. Mareta was actively involved in the lives of her grandchildren, and she frequently babysat them. She and her husband enjoyed traveling, especially their trips to England and Alaska. Mareta also liked spending time with her good friend, Florence Mueller.

Sweet, open-hearted, and gracious, Mareta Rupprecht was a blessing to everyone she met. She was forever doing things for others in ways both great and small. Mareta was deeply devoted to her family, and there was nothing that made her happier than being surrounded by their love. She will never be forgotten.

On April 8th, 2018, Mareta Rupprecht, of St. Charles, was called to her Heavenly Home to be with her Lord and Savior and be reunited with family and friends who were waiting for her. Mareta's family includes her three children, Patricia (Ronald) Campbell of St. Charles, Diane Dorrel of Rockford, Darrel (Pamela) Rupprecht of St. Charles; grandchildren, Scott (Karri) Campbell St. Charles, Michelle (David) Jones Nesbit, Mississippi, Seth (Kristi Kolb) Dorrel, Matthew Dorrel of Rockford, Jillian (Lee Clark) Rupprecht Rochester, Jeffrey Rupprecht St. Charles; step grandchildren; Thomas (Lori) Dorrel, Manassa, Virginia, Jessie Sorenson Dayton, Iowa; great-grandchildren, Brianna and Kyleigh Campbell, Hayley Erdmann, Mallory Jones, Chloe Rupprecht, Xavier Clark, step great-grandchildren, Hannah, Sarah, Micah Dorrel, Jacob, Morgan and Quintin Sorenson; great, great grandchild Emery Rushing, sister-in law, Pat Rupprecht; and many nieces and nephews. Mareta was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Kenneth in 1999; parents; three brothers, Paul, Donald (Celia), Harold (Marion); sister, Marian (Ralph) Deedrick; sister-in-law, Mabel (Nick) Braun; brothers-in law, Hilbert (Virginia), Elmer (Lucille), and Roger Rupprecht. Funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Friday at St. Matthew Lutheran Church St. Charles with the Reverend Samuel Morsching officiating. Visitation will be at St. Matthew Lutheran Church from 4-8 p.m. Thursday and one hour before the service Friday. Burial will be in Hillside Cemetery. Pallbearers are Scott Campbell, Seth Dorrel, Matthew Dorrel, Jeffrey Rupprecht, Gary Golish and Richard Ryan. Please share a memory of Mareta and view her video tribute when it becomes available at www.hoffuneral.com. Hoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services, St. Charles is assisting the family.