Rita Riewe

Rita Riewe of Abilene, Texas, personally met her Lord and Savior on February 18, 2016. Visitation will be held at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Rd., on Sunday, February 21, 2016, from 4:00 to 6:00 PM. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM, Monday, February 22, 2016, at Zion Lutheran Church, 2801 Antilley Rd, with Reverend Kieschnick officiating. Burial will follow at Elmwood Memorial Park, 5750 Hwy. 277 South. Rita Hurley Riewe was born in Sulphur Springs, Texas, to Weldon and Mollie Hurley on February 17, 1945. She graduated from Abilene High School in 1963. She married Cliff Riewe on June 23, 1963, in Abilene, Texas, at Zion Lutheran Church. She worked as an executive secretary for a variety of companies: McWood Oil Corporation, Girl Scout Headquarters, Ben Hogan/AMF in Ft. Worth, Central Area of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Texas Commission for the Blind, Dr. D.G. Porterfield, and finally Abilene Independent School District’s Human Resource Department where she retired after nineteen years. Rita was always actively involved in church activities; ie, the women’s group, Sunday school, the altar guild, and volunteering in the church office. In retirement she was hired as an additional secretary at Zion Lutheran Church. Although a thorough and professional secretary, Rita did her best work as that of a wife, sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, sister-in-law, co-worker and friend. She was a modern day biblical Martha. Known for her selflessness, she tirelessly helped anyone she could. With her Christian spirit, she left a legacy of love, patience, integrity, and kindness. Rita Hurley Riewe was preceded in death by her parents, Weldon and Mollie Hurley. Rita Hurley Riewe is survived by Cliff Riewe, husband; daughter, Melody Veal and her husband Jerry of Abilene; son, Philip Riewe and his wife Ginger of Lubbock; brother, Mac L. Hurley and spouse Jane of Abilene; sister, Joan Wallick and spouse Glen of Colorado Springs; sister, Jan Boggan/Henson and spouse Weldon of Granbury; grandchildren: Dalton Veal and spouse Shelby, Sawyer Veal, Kyndal Riewe, Kayla Riewe, and great-grandchild Jayton Veal. Pallbearers will be Steven Riewe, David Riewe, Scottie Smith, Jason Smith, Dan Dukes, Kris Jayroe, Sean Rawlins, Jason Wallick. Memorials may be given to Zion Lutheran Church debt reduction fund, 2801 Antilley Rd, Abilene, TX 79606. Rita’s family extends sincere, special thanks to oncologist Dr. Melnyk and the staff at Texas Oncology, radiation oncologist Dr. Mahoney and radiation therapy staff at HMC, neurosurgeon Dr. Brown, Hendrick Hospice, and Reverend Clyde Kieschnick. Also, a heart-felt thanks to all family and friends for their prayers and support.