Rita Jean Abels, of Buckeye, Arizona, formerly of Sheldon, passed from this life on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020, at the age of 91 years after a long battle with Alzheimer's. She retained her sparkle for life, her ability to smile, and her love of welcoming each new day with a kiss for her loved ones.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 11, at St. Henry Catholic Church in Buckeye, Arizona. hall. Interment will follow after Mass at Holy Cross Cemetery in Avondale, Arizona.

Born on July 13, 1929, on the family farm outside of Sheldon, Iowa, she was welcomed as the first daughter to Vetus and Agnes McCarty. She was baptized on July 21, 1929, and confirmed in October of 1939 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Sheldon.

On Jan. 21, 1950, Rita Jean McCarty married Robert (Bob) Abels of Sibley, Iowa, in St. Patrick's Catholic Church. Jean and Bob started their married life in a teardrop trailer on the Abels' family farm just outside of Sibley and quickly started their family. Her faith supported her through the loss of their first infant son, Dennis Eugene. As life changed in Sibley, three more sons were born to the family, followed by the loss of another infant son, Kenneth Allen. Moving to LeMars, Iowa, brought the addition of three daughters to the growing family.
Career opportunities for Bob, moved the family to Buckeye, Arizona, in February 1962. In 1964, a third infant son, Dennis Allen, was taken to the Lord followed by his little brother, Robert Eugene Jr., in 1965.
As a mother of six, Rita Jean joined the work force in 1967 at Buckeye Industries Beam
Corporation. She worked in a variety of capacities at the garment factory but her favorite was in the factory store where she could chat with whoever walked through the door. After 30 years of employment, the factory doors closed and she retired, turning her energy to grandchildren and volunteering. Already active in St. Henry Catholic Church choir, with many referring to her as the 'hat lady' as she had many hats for many occasions, she became a Eucharistic minister. Through St. Henry, she served seven years in prison ministry at the Buckeye juvenile detention center where she enjoyed playing cards and laughing the young people.

No one can think about Rita Jean without remembering her smile, her love of life and God, or her bread. She faithfully made bread every week for her family and it truly was faithful as she prayed as she kneaded.
Rita Jean is survived by her children, Duane (Candice), Michael (Robin), James (Josie), Donna
(Arcey) Bowman, Diana (Francisco) Bonilla and Josephine (Andrew Spencer) Abels.
She also leaves behind 19 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren with another great-grandchild on the way.
Rita Jean was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Abels, and their four infant sons, Dennis E., Kenneth, Dennis A., and Robert Jr.
She also was preceded in death by six brothers and one sister and is survived by two sisters, Patricia Rodkewich and Peggy (Bob) Naughton as well as an abundance of nieces and nephews.