Rita M. Oelker

Rita M. Oelker (nee Burhoff), 92, beloved wife of the late Clifford J. 'Cliff' Oelker, devoted mother of Mitch (Kris) Oelker, Michele (Alan) Leininger and Maria (David) Hernadi, dear sister of Alberta Burhoff, George Burhoff, Mary Sullivan and the late Bernard, Lucille and Cyril Burhoff, loving grandmother of Ben, Kyle and Karoline Oelker, Laurin (Les) Smith, Kristin, Aaron and Joshua Leininger, Jordan and Mica Pugh. Passed away peacefully on Monday, January 9, 2017.

Rita was born on April 23, 1924.  As a child, she enjoyed playing outside and jumping rope.

She attended elementary school and then went on to a 2 year vocational school where she learned to be a seamstress.  She then had to work to help her family through the Great Depression.  She was able to go back to Western Hills high school and graduated in the top 10 of her class.  Her goal after high school was to become an accountant, so she worked and attended night school at the University of Cincinnati where she earned her associate degree.

She had two 20 year careers.  Her first career was from 1942-1962 where she worked as an accountant for Jergens Company.  She was admired for her work there and we were told by a former Jergens VP that “she was ahead of her time probably would have advanced further had she not have been a woman.”

Her second 20 year career was as a tax accountant at the IRS from 1974-1994.

Between careers, she was a homemaker and raised her 3 children.

Rita met Cliff while working at Jergens.  They were married on Sept. 9, 1961, at St. Leo’s Church in Cincinnati, OH.  They enjoyed traveling together and one of their goals was to go to all 50 states.  They accomplished going to 48 of the 50 states, in which Alaska was their favorite adventure.  Rita and Cliff enjoyed dancing together and could always be seen “cutting the rug” at social gatherings.

Some of her “favorites” were: movie - Gone with the Wind, singers - Frank Sinatra and Engelbert Humperdinck, athlete - Joey Votto.

Rita was a great example of a hard working, determined, goal oriented woman.  She was a pillar of strength for her 6 siblings, 3 children, and her grandchildren.  She was always willing to stay up with the “times” and learn knew things.  In recent years, she mastered her iPhone and iPad.  Also, her favorite pastime was to keep up with everyone on social media.  Everyone loved her comments on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter and her text messages because they always included lots of Emojis.  Our favorite was when she thought lol meant lots of love.  So from everyone here still left on earth we say “lol” to you in Heaven.

Visitation at Mueller Funeral Home, 6791 Tylersville Road, Mason, OH 45040 on Thursday, January 12 from 6-8 PM. Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, January 13 at St. John the Evangelist Church, 9080 Cincinnati-Dayton Road, West Chester, OH 45069 at 10:00 AM.

Memorials may be directed to Hospice of Cincinnati, P.O. Box 633597, Cincinnati, OH 45263. To send a condolence, visit MuellerfuneralS.com 513-398-9100