Anderson Funeral Home

serving families for over 70 years
312 South Stone St.
Augusta, WI 54722
715-286-2222

Rita Lemere
Rita LeMere, 97, of Augusta, peacefully passed away early Monday morning, March 13, 2017 at the Augusta Health and Rehabilitation. 

Rita Frances LeMere, daughter of Benjamin and Barbara (Wagner) Willett, was born October 5, 1919 in Fairfax, MN, and baptized there at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church. As a small child she moved with her family to Plummer, MN, where she was confirmed Catholic and graduated from Pershing High School. Following graduation she worked in the restaurant of one of the hotels in Plummer. It was while working that she met Lionel LeMere, the two later married in Plummer on Nov. 15, 1941. The couple lived in New Brighton, MN, before moving back to the LeMere family farm in Stephen, MN. On April 1, 1956 they purchased and moved to their farm in Lincoln Township, rural Augusta. In addition to raising her 6 children, 

Rita enjoyed raising chickens to sell the eggs and later butcher. She loved her large vegetable garden and either canned or froze not only the vegetables but also the bountiful fruit that she raised. Over the years she had many gorgeous flower gardens and often shared her flowers by decorating the sanctuary of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Augusta. Inside her home she had a green thumb for raising African violets. She was a wonderful baker and some of the family favorites were her baked caramel rolls, donuts,caramel corn and popcorn balls. She had been an active member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church and St. Anne’s Altar Society; she participated on many church committees, helped with fund raisers, and also with the general upkeep of the church. With her children she enjoyed her involvement with the Rodell Busy Bees 4-H Club, and with the grandchildren she attended many horse shows. Rita also loved playing cards and was happy to play with anyone. 

  Rita will be deeply missed by her 6 children, Gerald (JoAnn) LeMere of Augusta, Carol (Larry) Anderson of Altoona, Dianne LeMere of Augusta, Brian (Mindy) LeMereof Fall Creek, Mariann(Fred) Ballbach of Mayville, Arlene (Curt) Freseth of Altoona; 14 grandchildren, Karl LeMere, Kevin (Angela) LeMere, Rita (Matt) Sunday, Sandra (Steve) Bertram, Bob (Luci) Barnett, Charlie (Rebecca) Barnett, Teresa (Dale) Thorson, Angie (Dan) Lane, Jayme (Mandy) LeMere, Brad LeMere, Cory (Becky) Schalinske, Kris (Dan) Dunday, Andy Kapfenstein, Tanya Freseth; 26 great grandchildren, Greenlee LeMere, Michael and Matthew Russo, Allie (Josh) Daffinson, Elizabeth, Chris and Joe Sunday, Steve and Matilda Bertram, Brookelynn, Logan and Aiden Barnett, Fisher and Justin Barnett, Cody Brunner, Tylor and Cloe Thorson, Isabel and Josh Lane, Landon LeMere, Ashley and Bailey Mayer, Brian and Michael LeMere, Jessica and Dominik Dunday; 2 great great grandchildren, Oscar Daffinson and Lilly Arch; sister-in-law, Sylvia LeMere of Augusta; and many other relatives and friends. 

Rita was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Lionel on April 7, 2000; daughter,Mary Elizabeth; and siblings, Andrew and Joseph Willett, Marcella Toulouse, Connie Drisscol, Monica Fallon and Marietta Johanneck.  

Visitation will be from 10:30 to 1:00 p.m. Thursday at St. Raymond’s of Penafort Catholic Church in Brackett, where services will be 1:00 p.m. on Thursday. Burial will be at West Lawn Cemetery in Augusta. 

The family would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff at the Augusta NursingHome. The loving care shown to Rita since here admission in January of 2014, will never be forgotten.

The family is assisted by the Anderson Funeral Home in Augusta.