Rita (Schatz) Gefre-Aberle a mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and friend to many was blessed with a wonderful life until her heavenly father called her home on October 1st, 2015 in Bismarck, ND with family and loved ones by her side. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, October 5, 2015 at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Strasburg, ND. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-9 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday at Myers Funeral Home Chapel in Linton, ND.Rita was born November 25th, 1930, near Zeeland, where she grew up on a farm and attended school. She was one of 15 children born to Michael and Elizabeth (Seiler) Schatz. At the age of 18 she married Baldwin Geffre in 1948 and they were blessed with 11 beautiful children. Rita enjoyed volunteering in her community as an active member of the Alter Society at Sts. Peter & Paul parish for many years, making sure the parish had beautiful flowers and holiday decorations. She also spent many years volunteering at the Strasburg nursing home where she continued until the Lord called her home. Rita had an unwavering faith in God. A faith so strong, she felt it was her duty to share it with everyone around her. Rita was the epitome of a hard worker, imparting this quality to her children and grandchildren. A selfless woman, it was Rita's passion and delight to bring family together for the holidays. Those who have taken Rita's lessons and hobbies to heart will carry on with her traditions such as her love of crocheting afghans, baking Christmas cookies with the Grandkids, making snow ice cream, playing cards, painting ceramics, puttering in her garden, milking her old cow "Betsy", going shopping with her "girls", decorating cakes, and most importantly her special meals that she loved to cook.She is survived by one brother, Al (Sonny) Schatz of Mandan; and two sisters, Eugenia Welk and Rosemary Kraft both of Bismarck. She leaves her loving memories to be cherished by her children: Mary (Dennis) Hummel of Hague ND, Karen (Lanny) Natucci of Spanaway WA, Robert (Chris) Geffre of Graham WA, Michael (Lois) Geffre of West Fargo ND, Steve Geffre of Tacoma WA, Mark (Cindy) Geffre of Albany OR, Connie (Dean) Hummel of Bismarck ND, Geralyn (Mark) Gallagher of Spanaway WA, Danny (Elaine) Geffre of West Fargo ND, Fritz (Tammy) Geffre of Hankinson ND, Randy (Anita) Geffre of Mound City SD, 38 grandchildren and 46 great-grandchildren. Rita is also survived by three step-children: Tom Aberle of Zeeland ND, Denise (John) Cannata of Parker CO, Mary (Jamie) Heidrich of Bismarck and their families. Rita is reunited with her husband's Baldwin Geffre, Markus Gefre, and William Aberle; her parents and eleven brothers and sisters. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be sent to the Rita Geffre-Aberle memorial fund in care of the Strasburg State Bank, 720 Main Street, Strasburg ND 58573. All funds received will be donated to local families in need and the Sts. Peter & Paul church.