Sister Rita Neyens, 96, passed away Wednesday, May 6, 2020 at Box Butte General Hospital in Alliance.
She was born March 7, 1924 in Colome, South Dakota to Ben and Mary (Dohmen) Neyens and was named Mary Helen.
She followed the Lord’s call to the Sisters of St. Francis and entered as a candidate at Marycrest Convent in Denver on August 15, 1943. She professed her vows on August 16, 1944 and took the name of Sr. M. Rita. She professed her Perpetual Vows on August 16, 1947.
Sister Rita became a registered nurse and her early ministry included time at St. Mary’s Hospital in Scottsbluff and St. Joseph’s Hospital in Alliance. She also served at Holy Rosary Mission and St. Francis Mission in South Dakota. In the 1970’s and 80’s she continued nursing at the VA Hospital in Hot Springs, SD. Following her retirement she worked in ministry in Rapid City, SD and O’Neill, NE where she worked in parish ministries and part-time nursing in senior care centers. She returned to Alliance in 2016.
Her survivors are nieces and nephews, including Carol King, Maryann Thompson, Tim King, and niece-in-law, Rosemary King and her Franciscan Sisters.
Her parents, her sisters and brothers-in-law, Adeline and Fred Gassen, Anna and Jim King, her brother and sister-in-law, Jerome and Eddie King and a nephew, Jim M. King preceded her in death.
A wake service and Mass of Christian Burial for her Franciscan family will be held at Marian Chapel. Father Tim Stoner will officiate with burial at the Calvary Cemetery in Alliance.
Memorials may be sent in care of Crosier Father and Brothers, P.O. Box 500, Onamia, MN 56359-0500 for Masses for Sister Rita.
Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com with Bates-Gould Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.