Rita Catherine (Bissen) Benjamin, 86, of Salix, Iowa, formerly of Climbing Hill, Iowa, entered into eternal rest on Friday, September 6, 2013 at Pleasant View Care Center in Whiting, Iowa. Services will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, September 10, 2013 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Salix with Father Patrick O’Kane officiating. Burial will follow at the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Salix. A visitation will be held one hour prior to service time at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Waterbury Funeral Service.

Rita was born on February 19, 1927 in Defiance, Iowa, the daughter of the late Paul and Mary (Heinzlmeir) Bissen. She was one of twelve children. Rita grew up in Defiance, Buckgrove, and the Dunlap area. She attended country and St. Paul Catholic School.

On September 14, 1946, Rita married George Benjamin at the First Area Chapel Church in Scottfield, Illinois. They began farming in the Woodbine area and later in the Dunlap/Mapleton/Oto area. In 1962, they moved to Climbing Hill where they farmed and raised their 10 children.

Rita was a homemaker and helped with the farm chores. In her spare time, she worked in her rock/flower garden, sewing patch quilts, yo-yo blankets, and crocheting. Passed down from generations, was mom’s big pancakes. She also had a special way of playing cards and checkers with her grandchildren.

Rita moved to Salix in April of 2000 and in March of 2009 she resided in Pleasant View Care Center.
Rita will be remembered as a loving, caring individual who forever touched the hearts of everyone she met.

Survivors include her 10 children: Richard (Sherri) Benjamin of Sloan, Iowa, JoAnn Leonard of Norfolk, NE., Dan Benjamin of Texas, Janice Isaacson of West Allis, WI., Bonnie Clark of Sioux City, Vickie (Mike) McKenna of Salix, Pat (Carol) Benjamin of Climbing Hill, Mike (Amy) Benjamin of Bronson, Peggy (Cory) Davidson of Lawton, and Judy Benjamin of Buchanan, MI, 18 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren, siblings: Stella Hodapp of Spring, TX, Joe Bissen of Clarinda, IA, Theresa Simmons of Omaha, Marie Jans of Harlan, IA, Margaret Adams of Omaha, Armella (Germain) Reding of Omaha, Paul Jr. (Martha) of Harlan, Ia., Kenny (Alma) of Cedar Grove, Tn., and sister-in-law Georgia Ann Bissen of Dunlap, IA.

Rita was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers Don and Melvin Bissen, and one sister “Sister” Leona (Hiligard) Bissen.