Rita Ann Darveaux, 90, of Holton, KS, passed away Monday, August 9, 2021 at the Holton Community Hospital. She was born April 25, 1931 in Dawson, NE, the daughter of Sabastian John and Mary C. (Alfers) Koelzer.

 Rita graduated from Falls City High School in 1949. She along with her husband Bunny, owned and operated Darveaux Construction Company for many years. She was also a homemaker and worked her earlier years at Bobo’s Drive-In and Hallmark Cards.

 She was a former member of the St. Dominic Catholic Church in Holton and was a current member of St. Mary’s Immaculate Conception Church in Valley Falls and a member of Alter Society and taught many CCD classes. Rita and her husband Bunny, hosted many foreign exchange students.

Rita married to Bernard “Bunny” Darveaux November 21, 1950 in Falls City, Nebraska. He preceded her in death on July 17, 2021. They celebrated over 70 years of marriage. She was also preceded in death by her parents; 2 sons, Glenn J. and Darrell J. Darveaux; her grandson, Tyler Darveaux; 2 sisters, Dorothy Koelzer Kerl and Marjorie Kopf and 3 brothers, Bernard, Jerry and Robert Koelzer..

She is survived by her children; Gerald J. Darveaux (Lori) of Valley Falls, KS, Cindy A. Darveaux of Nortonville, KS, Bill J. Darveaux (Terri) of Holton, KS, Cathryn A. Lauer (Andrew John) of Meriden, KS and Bernard J. “B.J.” Darveaux, JR (Kristina) of Ozawkie, KS; sister, Mary E. “Typ” Simpson of Omaha, NE; 13 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, August 14, 2021 at St. Mary’s Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Valley Falls. A Rosary will be recited at 9:00 a.m. Saturday at the church. Inurnment will follow in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Valley Falls. There will be a book available to sign at Mercer Funeral Home in Valley Falls or in Holton. Memorials may be given to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital c/o Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 6, Valley Falls, KS 66088.