Rita A. Holcomb, 93, of Sioux City, Iowa passed away peacefully in her sleep on Tuesday, November 15, 2016, at her home. Funeral Services will be held 10:00 am, Monday, November 21, 2016 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Sioux City. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 4-8 with family present from 6-8 and a vigil service at 7:00 pm at Waterbury Funeral Service of Sioux City, 4125 Orleans Ave.

Rita was born on Friday, April 13, 1923, in Hartington, Nebraska. The daughter of Fred and Theresa (Uhing) Wiebelhaus, Rita was one of twelve children. She grew up in the Hartington and Bow valley areas and attended Tip Top School before moving with her family to Wynot, Nebraska and then to Sioux City, where she worked at the Sioux City Battery Company, Cudahys and Johnson Biscuit Company.

In March of 1944, she married James P. Holcomb in Sioux City, Iowa. Together, they raised three children; Fred, Clarence, and Cindy. Rita and James enjoyed traveling and spending time together, until James passed away on January 6, 1993.

Rita was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She had a very kind and caring heart and a deep love for her family. She looked forward to holidays when everyone would come together to celebrate. Rita loved making crafts, especially those involving crocheting. She made many keepsakes for family and friends to cherish for a lifetime. In her early years, she enjoyed bowling, sewing and bingo.

Rita will be known for her strength and her devout faith in God. She was a two-time cancer survivor, who believed deeply in the power of prayer. She was a proud member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church for over 50 years and prayed the Rosary every day.

Survivors include a son, Clarence; daughter, Cindy (Mike) Lamoureux; and a daughter-in-law, JoAnne Holcomb;Twelve grandchildren, Tim (Stacey) Holcomb, Laurie (Dan) Holcomb -Thompson, Noah (Holly) Holcomb, Perry (Rhonda Delgado) Holcomb, Buffie Holcomb, Tracy (Andy) Pomerson, Jim (Angie) Holcomb, Sonora (Travis) Lynch, Kim (Mike) Hofmeister, Christine (Paul) Wolf, Mike (Julie) Lamoureux, and Kayla (Michael) Kellen; Seventeen great-grandchildren (with one more due in January); and three great-great-grandchildren; sister-in-laws, Mary Wiebelhaus and Bev Riibe; and Her best friend, Elda Handke from Portland Oregon.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James; Son, Frederick; four brothers, Herman, Frederick, Daniel, and infant, John Wiebelhaus; Seven sisters, Julia Ketter, Olivia Scheffer, Florentine Reifenrath, Edna Cook, Elsie Waddell, Agatha Kleinschmit, and Dolores (Kopal) Hildahl.

Pallbearers will be her grandchildren

Rita’s family would like to extend a very sincere thank you to the medical staff at Hospice, Visiting Angels, Dolly Mann and Liz Marshall for all their care and support. A special thank you, as well, to Buffie Holcomb for unselfishly making the decision to move in with her grandmother and take incredible 24 hour care of her.