Rita Mary Wempe Robke, 86, of Seneca, passed away on April 26, 2026, at Nemaha Valley Community Hospital after a short illness.

Rita was born on August 7, 1939, in Seneca, to Art and Katherine Quinlan Wempe. She attended Sts. Peter and Paul School and graduated in 1957. That summer Rita started to work for the Citizen State Bank in Seneca and worked there until May of 1960.

On February 27, 1960, she married Joe Robke at Sts. Peter and Paul Church. They made their home on a farm south of Seneca, where they raised four children: Tom, Jerry, Bob, and Joan.

Rita devoted herself to her family and helped with the farm for many years. In 1983, she began working at Nemaha Valley Elementary School, where she served for 20 years before retiring in 2003. In 2004, she joined the Mission Center in Seneca and was appointed Coordinator in 2013.

She was a faithful member of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church and the Altar Society. Rita had a deep love for her family and took great joy in attending the activities of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents, brother Donald Wempe, brother Steve Wempe, and brother-in-law Kenny Meyer.

She is survived by her husband, Joe; sons Tom (Lesa), Jerry (Jill), and Bob (Krista); daughter Joan (Bart) Kuhlmann; nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and siblings Alice Meyer, Janice (Frank) Kuckelman, Diane (Dennis) Murphy, Sue (Cyril) Steinlage, Dan (JoAnn) Wempe, Mary (Jim) Weeks, and sister-in-law Chris (Steve) Wempe.

A rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 29, 2026 at Lauer Funeral Home. Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at the Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Seneca followed by burial in the church cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Team Schnak or Coins for a Cause sent in care of the family. To express your sympathy and for more information visit www.lauerfuneralhome.com.