Rita J. Kerperin, 82, of Taos, went to her eternal reward Sunday, March 23, 2025, at her residence with family by her side.

She was born October 26, 1942, the daughter of the late August J. and Marcella (Forck) Kerperin.  She attended grade school at Taos and was a 1960 graduate of Fatima High School, Westphalia.

After graduation, Rita went to work for the State of Missouri, working for the Division of Health, Water Resources, DNR and the Missouri Department of Transportation.  She retired from the State after 45 years of employment.  Rita was also secretary for the Liberty Fire Benevolent Society, an insurance company, for 50 years, retiring this past summer.

Rita was very active in her parish, St. Francis Xavier, serving in many capacities.  She was the volunteer bookkeeper and Finance Chairperson for many, many years.  Rita also served on the Parish Cemetery Committee as the bookkeeper and record keeper.  She worked as a poll worker for Cole County elections.

Rita spent her entire life in the Taos Community as did her parents, grandparents, and great grandparents before her.  Rita was a kind, hard-working person.  No task overwhelmed her.  She enjoyed playing cards, solving Sudoku puzzles, working on family genealogy, watching game shows and sports, going to craft shows and gift shops, doing yard work and working with her flowers.  Above all, she enjoyed being with her family.  She was like a second grandma to her great and great-great nieces and nephews.

Rita is survived by her siblings, Robert L. (Carol) Kerperin, Agnes Graessle, and Catherine Wankum, all of Taos; nieces and nephews, Wayne (Donna) Wankum, Shirley (Dennis) Woehr, Christy (Ron) Schaefer, LeAnn Graessle, Richard Graessle, Eileen (Oscar) Reeves, Dana (Jim) Lalk, and Kevin (Sara) Kerperin; great nieces and nephews, Megan (Casey) Kinkade, Tyler (Kallie) Wankum, Treaver Woehr, Brandon Schaefer, Jordan (Katherine Parker) Schaefer, Caitlin (Christian) Reinauer, Jaelynn Schaefer, Kelsey

Reeves, Dalton Reeves, Taylor (Caleb Allen) Lalk, Tanner Lalk, Jackson Kerperin, and Noah Wankum; and great-great nieces and nephews, Lillie and Hayden Wankum and Coralee Kinkade.

Preceding her in death were her parents, August J. and Marcella Kerperin; brothers-in-law, Elmer Wankum and Tom Graessle; a niece, Carla Wankum; and twin great nephews Joshua and Zachery Reeves.

Visitation will be 9-11 a.m. Thursday, March 27, 2025, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Taos.  Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 a.m. with Father Kelechi Uzuegbu officiating.  Burial will be in St. Francis Xavier Catholic Cemetery.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the St. Francis Xavier Cemetery Maintenance Fund.

Services entrusted to Trimble Funeral Homes – Jefferson City. trimblefunerals.com