Rita Relf, 84, died Wednesday, April 1, 2009 at the Brookview Manor in Brookings. Rita was born on June 17, 1924 in Moody County, SD to J. Howard and Mae (Gothier) Rice. Rita graduated from Flandreau High School in 1941 and continued her education at Nettleton Commercial College in Sioux Falls. From 1943 until 1947 she was employed for the Moody County Extension Office as well as the Conservation and County Highway Departments. Rita married Daryl Relf on July 9, 1947 in Flandreau. After their marriage they farmed in Lake County for 4 years before farming NE of Flandreau, retiring in 1989. In 1994, they moved to Brookings. Daryl preceded her in death on August 11, 2003 in Brookings. Rita was a member of St. Thomas More Catholic Church, Brookings, the Altar Society Guild, Brookings Hospital Auxiliary and was a past member of Ss. Simon and Jude Catholic Church, Flandreau.

Rita is survived by one sister, Mary Tubandt, Redfield, SD; two brothers, James "Jiggs" (Marilyn) Rice, Brookings, Leo (Cecilia) Rice, Flandreau; many loving nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband and parents.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, April 3, 2009 at 10:30 AM at Ss. Simon and Jude Catholic Church, Flandreau with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will begin at 4:00 PM on Thursday with a 6:30 PM prayer service at Skroch Funeral Chapel, Flandreau.