Rita Dietrich, age 81, of Whitewood, formerly of Philip, South Dakota, died on Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at her home near Bear Butte.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 21, at First Lutheran Church in Philip.
Interment will follow at the Masonic Cemetery in Philip.
On a beautiful day, June 22, 1943 in the Kadoka Hospital Rita Maxine was born to John E. and Harriet (Hopkins) Peterson. Rita was very proud to say that her father named her. She was greeted at home by an older brother, Richard. A couple years later a sister, Marcia (Kellow), joined the family. They grew up on Ash Creek NW of Philip, South Dakota. She attended grade school in a country school.
She told a story that on winter days, it was cold and her dad would put the kids in a barrel drum to stay out of the wind while he drove the team of horses to take them to school. She helped her father put up hay, work cows, fix equipment until his passing in 1983. At the same time she also helped her mom with cooking for branding, butchering chickens and numerous other tasks until Harriet’s passing in 1998. After eighth grade graduation, Rita attended high school in Philip. While in high school, she worked at a small diner serving all who entered, including her soon to be future husband, Donald (Toad) Dietrich. Their 64+year partnership started on October 13, 1960. They had three children, Wanona Manderfeld (Dan Jutting), Cocoa Dietrich (Jackie Bagley) and Monty (Alicia) Dietrich.
In the Spring of 1974, the moved to their current home near Bear Butte. Toad and Rita put in a lot of sweat equity into their place. While Toad worked to provide for the family; Rita was raising the kids, doing chores, and working around the place. Rita loved going to the lake to waterski and camping with friends and family. During the winter she enjoyed snowmobiling in the hills with the family. She also enjoyed playing volleyball and later in life snow skiing with her grandchildren. Dillon Manderfeld (Shaney Davis) and Thaine (Sophia) Manderfeld. After her kids left home she not only worked beside Toad at home, she worked beside him in construction, Sturgis Rally work, and other random jobs.
Rita had many skills like crafting, sewing, quilting, painting, crocheting, knitting, cross stitching, and needle needlework. As her grandchildren participated in sports, she proudly would be there cheering them on. Her great grand children were her biggest joy. Her face would just light up when Gabriel and Copelen arrived and she could hold them. Her third great-grandson is expected in July. Rita went to heaven leaving Toad without his hired man and life partner whom he played cards each morning before taking care of the horses. She left her family in tears on January 14, 2025 with broken hearts and many memories to be passed on by her husband, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, her sister, cousins and nieces and nephews.
Survivors include her husband Donald “Toad” Dietrich; three children Wanona Manderfeld of Sturgis; Cocoa Dietrich of Spearfish, and Monty Dietrich of Littleton, Colorado; two grandchildren; two great-grandchildren and one on the way; a sister Marcia Kellow of Anchorage, Alaska; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Rita was preceded in death by her parents Johnny and Harriet (Hopkins) Peterson.
Arrangements are with Rush Funeral Home of Philip.
