Visitation: No prior visitation.
Service: A brief Memorial and Celebration of Life was held. FENSKE – Rita K.
(nee Johnson)
A retired Director of Nursing of the
Niagara Lutheran Health System of
Buffalo, passed away on June 21, 2021
at Greenfield Health & Rehabilitation
Center. She was born to Cecil and
June Johnson and raised on a farm
in rural Galchutt, North Dakota. She
graduated from St. Luke’s School of
Nursing in Fargo, North Dakota. Mrs.
Fenske’s nursing career included
working at hospitals in Minneapolis,
Minnesota and Toledo, Ohio. After
moving to Williamsville, in 1972, she
worked in several positions as
Nursing Coordinator and Director of
Nursing at Niagara Lutheran Home,
Buffalo; Director of Nursing at St.
Francis Nursing Home, Williamsville;
Rehabilitation Coordinator at Brothers
of Mercy Nursing and Rehabilitation
Center, Clarence and Director of
Nursing at Beechwood Nursing Home,
Getzville. Rita served many years on
Niagara Lutheran’s Greenfield Health
and Rehabilitation Center Board and
also on the St. John’s Lutheran Home for
Children Board representing Amherst
Lutheran Church. She was active in
Nursing Professional Associations
and participated in various community
activities as a Girl Scout Leader, CPR
Instructor for the American Red Cross,
and a long time member of Amherst
Lutheran Church, serving on several
council positions and committees. Rita
enjoyed her family and grandchildren,
sewing, cross-stitching, crafting and
many winter vacations in Hawaii. Rita
is survived by her husband Larry, of 61
years; loving mother and grandmother
of daughters, Denise (Thad) Bridges of
Elliott, Iowa, Debra Daniels of Akron,
Ohio; son, Brian (Julie) Fenske of Katy,
Texas; and seven grandchildren, Kelly,
Kimberly and Joseph Daniels, Brent
and Kendall Fenske and Brittany and
Bellamy Bridges. Memorials may be given
to Niagara Lutheran Health System,
Lancaster, NY. A brief Memorial and
Celebration of Life was held. Interment
will be at St. John’s Cemetery, Galchutt,
North Dakota. Arrangements made by
the DIETRICH FUNERAL HOMES, INC.
Online condolences may be shared at
www.TheDietrichFuneralHome.com