Rita Weeden, age 72, of Mitchell, SD died Friday, January 15, 2010 at Avera Queen of Peace Hospital. Memorial services will be 2:00 PM Tuesday at Will Funeral Chapel with Reverend James Persons officiating.Visitation will begin at 1:00 PM Tuesday until service time at the Will Funeral Chapel.

Rita Clauberg, daughter of Harry and Edith (Wooley) Clauberg, was born February 25, 1937 in West Farms, NJ. She attended grammar school in Farmingdale and graduated from Freehold High School in 1955. Rita then attended Wilfred Beautician School in Newark, NJ.

Rita was united in marriage with Gerald Weeden on August 2, 1958 in Adelphia, NJ. The couple made their home in Spring Lake Heights, NJ. The couple purchased Phillips Beauty Salon in Spring Lakes, NJ and later renamed it Rita’s Beauty Salon. Rita continued to operate her own salon until the couple moved to Mitchell, SD in 1978. In Mitchell, they purchased the KOA Campground near Mitchell. They operated the campground until 2006. The coupled wintered in Florida.

She enjoyed cross-stitching, collecting dolls, bird watching, raising flowers and the ocean. Rita’s true love were her grandchildren.

Grateful for having shared her life are her husband, Gerald Weeden, Mitchell, SD; a son, Mark Weeden, Mitchell, SD; a daughter, Kim Heidinger, Sioux Falls, SD; five grandchildren; three sisters, Nora Estelle, Freehold, NJ, Virginia (Peter) Andre, Newport Richey, FL, Joan (Artie) Wagner, Jackson Township, NJ.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Correll; and a sister, Judy.