Obituary: Rita Florence English Singlehurst Duren Smith

Rita Florence English Singlehurst Duren Smith, age 93, died on Friday June 21, 2024. Rita was born on July 6, 1930, in Milwaukee, WI.

She married (Martin) Dean Duren in Cazenovia, WI in 1950 and they were married until his death in 1970. Rita married Robert Neal Smith in 1972.

Highlights of her career were various positions at SWCAP and the State of Wisconsin DILHR/DWD.

Rita is survived by Kathy (Gil) Helland, Marie (Len) Meissner, Anita (Pat) Berigan, Dan (Sandy) Duren, and stepchildren Dan (Shawn) Smith, Ralph Smith and Laura Smith. 12 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews and sister-in-law Mary Lou Duren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Dean, her husband Bob, her younger brother and his wife, Bill and Peggy Singlehurst, Dean’s brothers and sisters and grandson Dillon Duren.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Rita will be held at 11:30 A.M. on Friday, June 28, 2024 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Reedsburg with Father John Blewett officiating. Visitation will be held from on Friday from 9:30am - 11:15am. Burial will be at St. Anthony’s Cemetery, Cazenovia WI. Farber Funeral Home, Reedsburg is assisting the family.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the American Heart Association or the National Kidney Foundation.