Anita Jarecke

Anita Mae (Augustine) Jarecke, age 81, passed away on September 30, 2019, after working very hard to recover her health over the prior year. In the end, she was at peace and surrounded by her family at the Columbus Community Hospital.

Anita was born September 9, 1938, in Columbus, Nebraska to John and Marie (Prososki) Augustine. She grew up with four brothers and a sister and graduated from St. Bonaventure High School in 1956. Anita traveled briefly to Whittier, California to work with her aunt and uncle, before heeding that longing to return home to Columbus. Soon after, she met Joseph Jarecke. They were united in marriage on June 28, 1958 at St. Bonaventure Church. Together they raised seven children and created a beautiful life.

Anita was an active member of the Columbus community, having held a variety of service jobs. She was first to offer help and a smile at Jack & Jill, Econofoods, Wal-Mart and Eagle Windows or when distributing coupons at any number of grocery stores throughout the state. She was in her element as the distributor of the Omaha World Herald, ensuring 100+ young men and women learned the basics of business. She put her cooking skills to work at the Columbus Public Schools Food Service and her organization skills into action as she managed several apartment complexes in town. Along with her late husband, Joe, Anita was also very involved in the Catholic church. She was one of the charter members of St. Isidore Parish, where she participated in Christian Mothers, Catholic Daughters and the Parish Council. She particularly enjoyed singing in the church choir. She was a key member of the church prayer line and was praying for others until the very end.

Anita was a conversationalist extraordinaire. She could – and would -- pick up a conversation with anyone, and from there build more stories for the retelling. She enjoyed politics, loved attending the Governor's Balls with Joe and was particularly proud of her involvement in the selection of state judges. Her first love, though, was time with her family – with her late husband Joe, following the teams and activities with which they were involved, traveling with them to explore new cities, or just gathering to tell stories, recount the marvels of the world and enjoy one another.

She is survived by: children Judy (Jerome) Gates of Columbus, Julie (Davin) Gebauer of Darien, CT, Jeff (Carleen) Jarecke of Darien, CT, Jay (Suzie) Jarecke of Omaha, Jeanne (Bill) Schaffhausen of Lincoln, Janine Jarecke of Columbus, and Jon Jarecke of Lincoln; 13 grandchildren: Nick (Jackie) Gates, Amanda (Anthony) Sjuts, Anne (Scott) Ronhovde, Dane and Jeffrey Gebauer, Lauren, Sam and Spencer Jarecke, Reed, Jordan and Dylan Jarecke and Natalie and Eli Jarecke; 9 great grandchildren: Ayden, Ashton, and Avery Sjuts, Paige and Brooke Gates, and Elladee, Max, Alexander, and Madelyn Ronhovde; brothers Tony Augustine, Bob Augustine, Sam (ViAann) Augustine, sister Imogene (Jim) Magnuson; brother-in-Law Frank Jarecke; and her dog Faith.

She is preceded in death by: husband Joseph L. Jarecke, parents John and Marie Augustine, brother Don Augustine; and several brothers- and sisters-in-law.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Anita M Jarecke Memorial Fund at the Columbus Community Hospital Foundation ( https://columbushosp.org/donate_today/make_a_donation.aspx ) or to the Anita M Jarecke Memorial Fund being held at Cornerstone Bank in Columbus, Nebraska, the proceeds of which will be utilized to benefit St. Isidore Church.

Mass of Christian burial is 11:30 am Friday, October 4, 2019 at St. Isidore Catholic Church. There will be CDA Rosary at 4:00 pm. Thursday at the Church. Visitation is on Thursday from 4:30-7:30 pm at St. Isidore's with a 7:30 pm Vigil service to follow. Visitation continues on Friday from 10:30-11:30 am at St. Isidore's. Interment is in St. Bonaventure Cemetery