Rita Hohenshell
August 04, 2013
- Share:
-
-
-
Service Details
Rita Hohenshell, 88, passed away Sunday, August 4, 2013 at HCI Care Services Bright Kavanagh House.
Rita was born January 28, 1925 in Lynn County, Iowa to Lee and Mary O’Connell. She lived in the Des Moines area from 1955. Rita worked at Rock Island Motor Transit Company for over 30 years and retired from Travelers Insurance in 1991. She was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church, and she fought the good fight with many peace and justice organizations, including the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, Just Faith, Amnesty International, and Catholic Peace Ministry.
Rita is survived by her children and her husband's daughter, Lynne (Steve) Miller, Tom Hohenshell, Kim (Jerry) Clingman, Jeff (Ann) Hohenshell, Liesl (Jason) Hohenshell; siblings, Pat (Tom) Davis, Danny O’Connell, JoAnne (John) Sullivan, Sr. Brigid O’Connell and sister-in-law Margie O’Connell; grandchildren, Lance (Melissa), Ryan (Claire), J. J., Stephen (Amanda), Tricia, Emily, Sam, and Nathan; great-grandchildren, Bailey, Tristan, Darrack, and Kinnick; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Lecil "Shorty" Hohenshell; brothers, George and Mike O’Connell; sister, Mayme Winfrey, and sister-in-law, Laura O'Connell.
A life celebration will be held from 12 to 3 pm Sunday, August 18, 2013 at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home, 5400 SW 9th St, with an Irish Wake (storytelling) at 1 pm.
For memorial contributions please consider the Des Moines Catholic Worker and Heifer International.
Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Rebecca Kanner
08/13/2013
Rita was my co-defendant in 2001 when 26 of us were on trial for our non-violent civil disobedience at Ft. Benning, GA, protesting the School of the Americas and U.S. policy in Latin America. We were together at Pekin Prison Camp, and she brought light, love and laughter to me and everyone. Wishing strength and comfort to Tricia, Kim and the rest of the family.
Phyllis Ritchie
08/10/2013
Memories return - I remember a wild ride on the ice getting home from work one day! Rita was a friend from the southside that I enjoyed knowing. My prayers go out to her family.
Betty Crawford
08/10/2013
I worked with Rita at Travelers and carpooled with her and Phyllis Ritchie. She was an amazing woman and I know she will be missed. My thoughts and prayers will be with your family at this time.
Dennis Steele
08/08/2013
Rita has been a real inspiration to me and a good friend. I loved her Irish wit and wisdom. One of her favorate sayings was to quote her father about being "Irish Catholic" and then to explain her defernces with the Curia in Rome. May God enjoy her assistance so the world may be more just and peaceful!
Jane Magers
08/07/2013
Rita would say "This is my country, right or wrong, and when I see that something is wrong, I try to make it right". She did not hesitate to include the Pope. "He should have asked me" she would say. What a loss to all of us for peace and justice.
Sherry Hutchison
08/06/2013
Rita was a good friend and a source of inspiration over the years. I'm sorry to have to miss the service. I'll be out of town on Aug. 18
George and Pat Bates
08/06/2013
So sorry to hear of Rita's passing. Our condolences to her sons and daughter.
Fran Fuller
08/05/2013
Rita was a great woman and her spirit lives on in those of us she inspired. I'm so glad to have known her.
Jean and Bill Basinger
08/05/2013
We will miss Rita so much. We shared so many wonderful times together, especially on our many trips to protest at the SOA.We know that Rita would want us to continue to work to close the School of Americas. She was devoted to that cause.