Rita K. Strand was born on June, 24th 1954 in McLaughlin, SD and passed away at home near Hill City on Saturday, September 10th, 2016. Rita was raised in the Catholic faith on the family ranch 5 miles east of Trail City, SD by her parents Clarence and Ursula (Grismer) Hahne. The family’s ranch was very humble, but filled with great love. She received her First Holy Communion on July 1st 1962, and was Confirmed on July 8th, 1963. While growing up, the Catholic faith and family were the central aspects of life on the ranch. After her parents passed away, Ursula’s siblings helped to fill the void for the children at their young ages. She began her education at Corson County School in Trail City and graduated from Timber Lake High School in 1972. She attended Aberdeen School of Commerce and graduated in 1973 with a degree in General Clerical Course. Rita moved to Rapid City, SD and was employed at Control Data. She then joined the South Dakota National Guard in 1974 until 1977. During this time, she met her soon to be husband of 40 years Ron, and they were wed in Holy Matrimony on July 16th, 1976. To this union, three children were born: John in 1977, Melisa in 1981, and Bryan in 1986. Rita would dedicate 25 years of her life to work in Rapid City Catholic School system. The school system was central to her life because of the Catholic community’s role in shaping the faith of her children. She made it a point to get to know all of the children that would go through her lunch line, and would keep them within her evening prayers. Those within the school system were truly loved by her as members of her own family.Rita took great pride in each of her children, especially as they matured into parents themselves. Some of her favorite memories included going for long walks and intimate talks through the Black Hills with her children and grandchildren, and watching the Denver Broncos with her older grandchildren. Rita is preceded in death by Grandparents Frank and Anna Hahne and Henry and Katherine Grismer, Parents Clarence and Ursula, and brother Frank, and numerous aunts and uncles, and mother-in-law Maxine and father-in-law John. Rita is survived in death by her husband Ron; children John and wife Erica, whose children include Lauren, Logan, and Landon; Melisa and husband Anthony, whose children include J. Michael, J. Stephen, J. Benedict, J. Cosmas, and M. Ceclilia; and Bryan and wife Ashley, and their daughter Zoey; siblings including Julie, Bill, Nila, and Karen.She passed away at home in the presence of her family. She was deeply loved, because she loved us deeply.