Rita Kay Holdhusen, loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend to many, passed away on June 9th, 2024 in Portage,Indiana at the age of 73.
She was born in Belle Fourche,SD on July 8th 1950 to Shelly and Vi Shaw. She was blessed to have her brothers,Curt and Doug, numerous grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins close by for all of her childhood. It was at this early she started her collection of friends that continued accumulating till her passing.
She graduated from Belle Fourche High School in 1968. That fall she started at Northern State in Aberdeen and after a few years moved to Tucson, Arizona where she worked and took some classes. Eventually she moved back to Belle to help care for her dad Shelly who was having some health issues.
Shortly after she gave birth to her son Linn on February 19, 1975. She helped with grandpa, raised her son and worked various jobs in Belle Fourche culminating with being hired as a lab tech for Baroid.
It was there that she met and later married Richard (Dick)Holdhusen on September 29th 1979 at Dicks aunts ranch near Hermosa and the foothills of the Black Hills. A more perfect spot does not exist.
They lived in Belle for a bit and then bought Rita’s grandparents house in Spearfish,SD. Daughter Betsy arrived on August 1,1981. With both Dick and Rita’s jobs in Belle and Linn and Betsy’s grandparents also there, they moved back to Belle in October of 1983 to the house on 8th avenue which is still Dick and Rita’s home today.
Rita’s kindness,generosity, and warm spirit touched the lives of everyone she met. Linn and Betsy’s friends became her friends and later her grandchildren’s friends also joined the family.
She had a remarkable ability to make friends everywhere she went. Including the last weeks in the hospital. She was always more concerned with everybody else’s problems more than her own. Especially when it came to family. True story that she beat the fire dept. to Betsy’s when they had a house fire. Her selflessness and love for friends and family showed thru time and time again.
Her grandkids became the focal point of her life in her later years. Always made time for them and their friends. Her painting buddies also brought satisfaction and joy to her life. Last but not least were her fur babies. A better dog mom could not be found anywhere.
Survivors of Rita include husband Dick and puppy Ziva. Son, Linn Holdhusen of Portland, Oregon. Daughter Betsy (Tim) Stearns of Valparaiso, Indiana. Grandchildren Jack, Tessa, and Evie Stearns. Sister in law Marilyn Shaw, nephew Sheldon Shaw and many other family members.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Shelly and Vi and her brothers Curt and Doug Shaw. She will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.
May her soul rest in eternal peace.
