Rita Nannenga, 54, of Oakes, ND, passed away on May 5, 2012 in her home, under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley.

Rita Faye was born June 16, 1957 at Wishek, North Dakota to Theodore and Helen (Dixon) Lautt. She attended school at Kulm before moving with her family to Edgeley, where she finished her schooling, graduating from Edgeley High School with the class of 1975. She married Tim Nannenga, who was the love of her life on June 21, 1975. They made their home in LaMoure, where Rita was employed at Dick’s Café, St. Rose Care Center, and the Dairy Bar. In 1985 she was hired by the U.S. Postal Service, and Rita and Tim moved to Oakes. Rita worked there for 26 years, retiring in November of 2011, due to her diagnosis of ALS and to spend time with her family.

Rita loved baking, especially Christmas baking and sharing it with family and friends. She also loved decorating for the holidays, gardening and ceramics. But what Rita loved most was her family and spending time with them whenever she could. She will be mised by all who knew her.

She is survived by her husband Tim; her son and daughter, Kelly (Jamie) Nannenga, Aberdeen, SD, and Krystle (Joshua Lambert) Nannenga, Oakes; two sisters, Debbie (Charles) Kerlin, West Fargo, ND, and Doris (Lee) Bredeson, Oakes; her brother, Ricki Lautt of California; two brothers-in-law, Larry (Carol) Nannenga, LaMoure, ND, and Ron Nannenga, Oakes, ND; a sister-in-law, Vicki (Bruce) Albertson, Hazen, ND; and many nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews. Rita is also survived by her grand-puppies, Atari, Aries and Jasper; and her grand-kitty, Genesis. She was preceded in death by her parents, Theodore and Helen Lautt, and her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Tom and Verlie Nannenga.

Her funeral will be Thursday, May 10, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at the Oakes United Methodist Church. Visitation will be Wednesday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. with a prayer service starting at 7:00 p.m. at Dahlstrom Funeral Home, Oakes.