Rita Barber Obituary

Rita Joyce (Lange) Barber was born August 18, 1941 in Pine Ridge, SD, the fourth of eight children born to Willard and Agnes (McEwen) Lange. She went to grade school in Canata, SD until the third grade and then attended school in Interior. After graduating from Interior High School in 1960 Rita went to work for North Western Bell Telephone.

Rita married her high school sweetheart, Barry Barber, in Rapid City on January 1, 1963. To this union two sons were born. They ranched for 45 years of their married life south of Kadoka and along the White River. Due to health reasons they sold the ranch and moved south of Hermosa for 11 years before moving to Gretna, NE. Rita always missed her friends and neighbors in the Wanblee, Interior and Kadoka area.

Rodeo was a big part of Rita’s life. She rode many miles in the passenger seat of the pickup to cheer on Barry, Dale, Kevin and Wayne. During the summer months she loved to hoe in her garden, take care of her flowers and travel to rodeos. She always said her challenge was growing cabbage and potatoes. Rita was a worker and when able she was always busy doing something. She learned to can produce from her garden from her mother-in-law. Rita pushed a push mower many miles before finally getting a riding mower and then the race was on! She could trail cattle with the best of them and she was always willing to wrestle the late calves.

Rita and Barry decided to build a cabin and set it behind a badland that was part of Barry’s granddad’s original homestead. It was a beautiful spot and many evenings were spent sitting on the couch or step enjoying the view of swans, antelope, and coyotes. Some of Rita’s favorite sounds of the prairie included the song of the Meadowlark and the bawling of cows and calves.

After moving south of Hermosa, Rita decided that the winters were too long so she took up oil painting classes at the age of 70 to occupy her time. She enjoyed that greatly. Rita loved the beauty of the prairie and the badlands and always missed them once they moved away. Rita had a bucket list and was able to accomplish most if not everything that she wanted to do.

Survivors include her husband, Barry Barber; sons, Kevin (Colleen) Barber and Wayne (DeeAnn) Barber; grandsons, Jesse (Andrea), Kyle and Bryan; great-grandson, Jace; sister, Carol Wickstrom; sister-in-law, Rita Sutton; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Rita was preceded in death by her parents; her siblings, Loretta (Dick) White, Larry Lange, Mary Lou (Lornce) Grimes, Gary Lange, Shirley (Terry) Gartner, Linda Thomas; in-laws, Dale and Vina Barber.

Cards and memorials may be sent to P.O. Box 36 Kadoka, SD 57543.

Visitation will be held 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, December 17, at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Kadoka, with a vigil service at 7:00 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 18, at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Kadoka.

Interment will follow at the Kadoka Cemetery.

Cards and memorials may be sent to P.O. Box 36, Kadoka, SD 57543

Service Details

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL
Wednesday, December 18, 2024 - 10:00 a.m.
Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church
Kadoka, South Dakota

CELEBRANT
Father Jonathan Dillon

MUSIC
Mary Handcock - Pianist
Diane Hogen - Cantor
“How Great Thou Art”
“On Eagle’s Wings”
Special Music
by Corrin Amiotte
“God’s Plan”
“Amazing Grace”

READER
Jim Kujawa

PALLBEARERS
Jerry Sharp - Gordon Good - Tucker Amiotte
Dustin Harvey - Jim Herber - Patrick Solon
Clifford Tibbs - Cleve Prichard

HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance

INTERMENT
Kadoka Cemetery
Kadoka, South Dakota

Guest Book

So sorry for your loss Barry and family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all!
~ David Jones Martin, SD (12/12/2024)

I’m so very sad to hear of Rita’s passing. 😢😢. I will always remember the times I spent with Rita and Barry. They always treated me like family ❤️ Rita will be dearly missed by many. 🙏🙏Prayers to Barry and All her family.
~ Kathleen Murdock Kadoka (12/11/2024)

Rita was a wonderful lady! Sending healing prayers and comfort during this tough time.
~ Debbie Shepard Henderson,NV (12/11/2024)

Our family has lost a great member. Rita was not just an in-law marrying one of my best friends. She was one of my best friends since childhood. She always had an open door when we visited SD and family. The loss of such a great lady will be felt by so many. My prayers and love goes to Barry and the boys and families
Gods blessings
~ Don & Shirley (Schrader) Nelson Bloomfield, NM (12/14/2024)

We are so sorry that Rita has passed but comforted by knowing that she is in the arms of Jesus now. We had so many good times together going to antique sales or just having coffee at each other's homes. Sending love and sympathy to all the family.
~ Ron and Marilyn Gartner Interior SD (12/14/2024)

My sister Robin and I and families are very sorry for your loss. We are happy we recorded the Barber Lange Craven Open Buckle Ranch History at your Badland retreat just before Rita became sick. We will cherish these memories. May God bless you in your grieving.
~ Casey Peterson Rapid City (12/15/2024)

They say siblings and cousins are your first "best friends." In this case, Rita married into first cousins, and I will always think of her as a "best friend." I am goingbto miss her voice, her laugh and her true love of my family. I know she is "home" and whole again. I pray God holds Barry in his arms of comfort through his journey through life without his true soul mate. With God's promise and the memories held dear, our loved ones never truly die. We love you Barry Barber!!! We love you very much.
~ Roxy Formanek Philip (12/10/2024)

Barry..... I don't think I can find the proper words, to say how sorry I am when I heard the news of Rita's passing. I always liked Rita and thought the word of her. She was a "great" person!!! Take care my friend. Gene
~ Gene Stevens Green Valley, AZ (12/11/2024)

Barry and Family, so sorry to hear of Rita’s passing. I have so many great memories of our growing up together.
~ Betty (Saunders) Erskine Denmark Township, MN (12/12/2024)

Barry, Kevin, Wayne and Families. My thoughts and Prayers are with you. Rita was a great lady. She will be missed.
~ Kari Porch Pierre SD (12/11/2024)

So sorry Barry, remembering are growing up years, I have known her since first grade. We were cheerleading together in high school. My sympathies to to her family.
~ Kay Reed Casper, Wyoming (12/13/2024)

Sympathy and prayers for Rita's family and friends.
~ Donna Bodkin Craven Rapid City (12/10/2024)

Barry and kids, so sorry to hear about your soulmate Rita. You are in our thoughts and prayers and hope to join you as we say farewell and see you over the rainbow.
~ Buster & Nancy Peterson Kadoka (12/12/2024)