Rita Marie Gogel was surrounded by love as she entered into eternal rest on Sunday, May 14, 2023 at 5:44 a.m. at the home of her daughter.
Rita was born August 21, 1933, in St. Meinrad, to Johannes and Agnes Seckinger. Rita was a first born generation American, as her parents were German immigrants.
She married James L. Gogel on February 6, 1951, in Saint Meinrad Archabbey Church. He preceded her in death on June 10, 2004.
Rita’s life was devoted to her faith and family. She was a member of Mary Help of Christians Church, St. Francis of Assisi Parish. She owned and operated a dairy farm with her husband and was a homemaker raising 12 children. A skilled cook, baker, seamstress and quilter, Rita was also very involved in caring for the cattle and chickens, baling hay, and even painting the barn roof. She was active in canning, butchering and gardening to provide for her family. Rita made hundreds of quilts and baby quilts, giving them to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She continued quilting for Mariah Hill Church and for the Santa Claus Methodist Church until her death.
Rita was a very loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, who also loved playing cards and games with her children and grandchildren. Over the years, Rita worked as a Tupperware representative and worked the voting polls, as well as worked at Saint Meinrad Archabbey for over 25 years in the Gift Shop and kitchen. In her later years, Rita was very active at the YMCA, attending Morning Energizer classes and Rock Steady Boxing sessions up until her very recent diagnosis. In the 1970s, an era when hospitals relied on local donations, Rita was instrumental in organizing a local blood registry. Inspired by the lack of blood available, she spent countless hours contacting people and collecting and updating data in order to have a resource when blood was needed for a surgery or emergency.
Rita’s strength and perseverance were an inspiration to many. She had to leave school at an early age in order to help support her family. She always wanted to go back to school and earn her high school diploma. At the age of 88, Rita received her diploma. Her daughters accompanied her to Michigan City to attend the Indiana Association for Adult Education Conference and receive the “Indiana Learner of the Year” award. Rita provided a commencement address at her graduation and spoke at the awards ceremony.
Rita is survived by 11 children: sons James A. (Diana) Gogel of Huntingburg, George (Marlow) Gogel of Virginia Beach, VA, Frank (Katy) Gogel of Ferdinand, Tom Gogel of Pine Mountain GA, Darin Gogel of Leopold and Larry (Kami) Gogel of Dale; daughters Martha (Paul) Wahl and Jennifer (Dean) Daunhauer of Ferdinand, Laura (Mike Eckstein) Klem and Sally (Steve) Fischer of Jasper and Nancy (Jeff) Phillips of Gentryville. Rita had 44 grandchildren and 63 great-grandchildren with another two on the way, and one great-great grandchild. She is also survived by her sister, Agnes Gogel of Iowa, sisters-in-law Rosemary Seckinger and Loretta Seckinger, and brother in law Andrew (Jack) Gogel.
Rita was preceded in death by her husband James, daughter Elizabeth, brothers John, Joe, Leo and Ed Seckinger, as well as her parents.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 18, at Mary Help of Christians Church in Mariah Hill at 11 a.m. CT. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday at Becher Funeral Home in Ferdinand from 2-8 p.m. CT and also on Friday from 7-10:30 a.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers and gifts, memorial contributions may be made to YMCA Rock Steady Boxing or to your favorite charity.
