Rita Iris Wohlers Bean, 92, died on Dec. 24, 2023, at Ariza Health Rose Vista in Woodbine. She was born on Oct. 4, 1931, near Woodbine, to parents Howard and Elsie (Lizer) Young. Rita started her schooling in Woodbine and then at Mondamin Consolidated School. She graduated from Mondamin in 1949. She then attended Barnes Beauty School in Council Bluffs. Rita rented a chair at the Wren Chase Barber Shop in Missouri Valley. On Dec. 9, 1951, Rita married Harold Wohlers at the Missouri Valley RLDS Church. The couple farmed in various locations in Harrison County before settling on a farm east of Magnolia. Harold died in 1990. Rita married Everett Bean on June 1, 1993, at his home near Little Sioux.
Rita was a member of the Community of Christ. She enjoyed teaching Sunday School and Bible School, acting as Oriole Girls Leader and the Women’s leader. She also has served as an Elder in the church. Over the years Rita developed her skills as an artist, attending many workshops and art shows. She had her own one-woman art show displaying her paintings of the Loess Hills in 2009.
Rita was preceded in death by her parents; her two husbands, Harold and Everett; her brother, David Young and her grandson, Michael Godden. She is survived by her three children, Mike (Sherry) Wohlers of Pisgah, Delila (Harold) Bertelsen and Linda Wohlers all of Logan; six grandchildren, Ryan (Kim) Wohlers, Rochelle (Wade) Pitt, Laura (Joe) Flaugher, Derek (Jen) Rife, and Shaun (Cathy) Rife; 13 great-grandchildren, Riley (Abby) Wohlers, Wyatt Wohlers, Alyx Wohlers, Macy (Colton Hacker) Pitt, Emma Pitt, Mila Flaugher, Fiona Flaugher, Anna Flaugher, Paige Rife, Braxton Rife, Michael Rife, Julia Rife and Trinity Wood; sister, Deanna (Rich) Small of Magnolia; sisters-in-law, Joyce Young of Creston and Gladys Blois of Council Bluffs; and many other relatives and friends.
A funeral service was held on Friday, Dec. 29, 2023, at Community of Christ in Woodbine. High Priest Tom Bothwell presided over the service. The musician was Jane Roden and the congregational hymns were “What a Friend We Have In Jesus”, “Silent Night” and recorded selection “There’s An Old, Old Path. The honorary pallbearers were Rochelle Pitt, Laura Flaugher, the late Michael Godden, Derek Rife, Wyatt Wohlers and Warren Whitted III. The pallbearers were Ryan Wohlers, Shaun Rife, Wade Pitt, Joe Flaugher, Riley Wohlers and Bob Barnard. Rita’s final resting place is at the Magnolia Cemetery.
Fouts Funeral Home in Woodbine was in charge of the arrangements. www.foutsfuneralhome.com
