Rita Ostert , 93, of Le Mars, Iowa, passed away Friday, June 7, 2019 at Happy Siesta Health Care Center in Remsen, Iowa.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 13, 2019 at All Saints Catholic Parish – St. James Church in Le Mars.  Reverend William McCarthy will celebrate Mass.  Reverend Paul Eisele will concelebrate.  Burial will follow in St. Catherine's Catholic Cemetery in Oyens, Iowa.  Visitation will be after 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 12, 2019 at Rexwinkel Funeral Home.  The family will be present after 4:00 p.m.  There will be Parish Rosary at 5:00 p.m. and a Scriptural Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m.  Visitation will resume from 9:30 a.m. until service time on Thursday at the church.  Arrangements are with the Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Le Mars.  Expressions of sympathy can be extended to the family through www.rexwinkelfh.com .

Rita Marie Cronin was born November 9, 1925 on the family farm, rural Oyens, Iowa, to Jeremiah W. and Martha S. (Lauters) Cronin. She received her education at St. Joseph Catholic School in Le Mars and graduated in 1945. In her younger years, she worked at Vander Meer Bakery. Rita was united in marriage to Gerald J. Ostert on July 12, 1946 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Le Mars. Rita and Gerald were blessed with two daughters, Judy and Jo Ann. Rita was a homemaker for her family and in her later years, worked part time for Harker's Food Service in Le Mars. Gerald passed away November 2, 2012.

Rita enjoyed baking, cooking, crocheting afghans, needlework and quilting. She also enjoyed tending to her flowers and vegetable garden. Rita was a generous soul, always had the coffee pot on and those who visited never left empty handed without a delicious baked good. She will be remembered by her family for her oatmeal bread, the cookie jar never being empty and her delicious popcorn balls.

She was a member of All Saints Catholic Parish - St. James and was part of their monthly quilting group. She served four years on the care review board at Brentwood Good Samaritan Center, Floyd Valley Hospital Auxiliary for several years and various other organizations.

Survivors include her 2 daughters, Judy Nielsen and her husband, Tarris of Marcus, IA and Jo Ann Evans and her husband, Norbert of Le Mars; 3 grandchildren, Ann Marie Pedersen, David Nielsen, and Jennie Evans; 3 great grandchildren, Jeremy and Erin Pedersen and Chloé Evans; two sisters-in-law, JoEllen Cronin of Le Mars and Donna Cronin of Le Mars; and several nieces and nephews.

Rita was proceded in death by her parents, Jeremiah W. and Martha S. (Lauters) Cronin; her husband, Gerald Ostert; 2 brothers, Lolan Cronin and Ronald Cronin; her parents-in-law, John T. and Ella M. Ostert; 5 sisters-in-law, Lila Ufken, Ethel White, Shirley Ericksen, Bonnie Reistroffer and Blanche Cronin.