Rita Ann Sweet

October 8, 1924 - March 14, 2014

Rita A. Sweet, 89, of Clarks, Nebraska, died Friday, March 14, 2014 at her home near Clarks. Funeral services will be Wednesday, March 19, 2014 at 2:00 P.M. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Central City with Reverend Kevin McReynolds officiating. Burial will be in the Clarks Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday, March 18, 2014 from 5 – 7 P.M. at Wagner Funeral Home in Central City. Rita was born on October 8, 1924 in Clarks, Nebraska to Fritz C. and Anna B. (Reichel) Goerl. She grew up in the Clarks area and was educated at District 25 country school and District 15 Pleasant Hill. She graduated from Clarks High School in 1942 with a Normal Teaching Certificate and then taught in District 7 School for 2 years. She was united in marriage to Alfred G. Sweet on September 26, 1944 in Grand Island. The couple made their home on the farm near Clarks. Alfred died on October 9, 2001. Rita was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Central City. She enjoyed gardening, cooking, and canning. Survivors left to cherish her memory include two sons and daughter-in-law, Ed A. Sweet of Clarks, NE; and Jack J. and Coleen Sweet of Clarks, NE, two daughters and sons-in-law, Sally A. and Jack Neel of Clarks, NE; and Susan and Ed Grossi of Santa Rosa, CA, eleven grandchildren and their spouses, Cammie and Doug Sindelar, Kelly and Steve Halleen, Corinne Neel, Mandy and Chuck Krance, Jesse and Barbee Sweet, Sami and Rich Stranberg, Sara and Byron Carlson, Scott and Theresa Sweet, Christy and Corey Cronin, Sharie and Joe Freeman, and Cathy and Eric Brunz, seventeen great-grandchildren, three step-great-grandchildren, and one brother, Victor E. Goerl of Grand Island, NE. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Alfred Sweet in 2001, daughter in law – Sue Sweet, two brothers and sisters-in-law - George and Gertrude Goerl; Ernst and Irma Goerl, and two sisters and brothers-in-law -Mary and Ted Beck and Agnes and Henry Schultz. Memorials are suggested to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and condolences may be sent to the family at www.wagnerfuneral.com. Music: Organist: Suzanne Philippi - Congregational Hymns: “Amazing Grace” and “I Know That My Redeemer Lives” Pallbearers: Jesse Sweet, Scott Sweet, Doug Sindelar, Steve Halleen, Chuck Krance, Rich Stranberg, Byron Carlson, Corey Cronin, Joe Freeman, and Eric Brunz. Honorary Pallbearers: Cammie Sindelar, Kelly Halleen, Corinne Neel, Mandy Krance, Barbee Sweet, Sami Stranberg, Sara Carlson, Theresa Sweet, Christy Cronin, Shari Freeman, and Cathy Brunz.