HOUGHTON - Rita G. Winterhalter, age 100, passed away on
Saturday, October 17, 2020, at the Absolut Care of Houghton. She was born in
Rushford on August 17, 1920 to the late Earl and Anna (Burke) Shaffer. She was
married to John Johnson who predeceased her in 1960 and later to Fredrick
Winterhalter who predeceased her in 1993.
Rita was a former resident of Belmont and Belfast. She and
her husband Fred had owned and operated the Belfast Hotel for many years. She
was a devout Catholic and member of the former St. Mary's Church in Belmont.
Survivors include a daughter, Rita [Thomas] Higley; a son,
Dale [Karen] Johnson; daughter-in-law, Jane Koener; son-in-law, Roy Benjamin, a
step son, Bill Winterhalter; a step daughter, Sister Christine Winterhalter of
the Sister's of St. Francis; 11 grandchildren, Lacie, Tonya, Kevin, Jill, Jenny,
Randy, Luke, Angel, Michael, Joanna, and Kerri.
She was predeceased by a son, Ronald Johnson; 2 daughters,
Kathleen Johnson and Carol Benjamin; a step son, Roger Winterhalter.
There will be no prior services and a private graveside service will be held in St. Patrick's Cemetery of Belfast. Memorial donation in Rita's name may be made to the Belfast Rescue Squad. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.
