Rita Magdalene Cejka Wachel, 91, of Hallettsville, Texas, passed away peacefully at home on January 7, 2022, surrounded by her loving family.  She was born on May 27, 1930, to Annie and Fred Cejka in Hallettsville, Texas.  She was a devoted member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, and her inner beauty and love of Jesus would always shine through her beautiful smile.

Rita graduated from Hallettsville High School and Massey Business College, and later met the love of her life, Richard "Reese" Wachel, at the Bill Mraz dance hall.  They were married on August 7,1954 and would go on to have seven children: Mary, Jennifer, Loretta, Donna, Darrell, Debra, and Rita.  They raised their family in Houston and were members of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Humble.  She was an amazing mother who loved her family and her community, giving much of her time to her children's school and her church.

When Rita and Reese retired, they purchased a ranch in Hallettsville and built a home that would host many family celebrations.  After her husband passed, she moved back to her hometown of Hallettsville full-time and lived on her ranch with her daughter and caregiver, Jennifer, where she could be surrounded by nature, flowers and her beloved cardinals.

The family would like to thank all of Rita's health care providers and express gratitude for the love and support they have received from family and friends.

Rita was predeceased by her parents, Annie and Fred Cejka; brothers, Alfonse and Abdon Cejka; her sister Lucille Kloppenburg; and her husband of 58 years Richard Reese Wachel.

Rita is survived by:  her seven children, Mary Okruhlik & husband Ed of Katy, Jennifer Novak of Hallettsville, Loretta Shurtleff & husband Andy of Spring Branch, Donna Altomari & husband Joe of Houston, Darrell Wachel & wife Mieko of Hallettsville, Debbie Sewell & husband David of Kingwood, and Rita Earle & husband Pat of Joelton, TN; 13 grandchildren, Brent Novak & Sheila of Denton, Laura & Reggie Hall of Hampton, New Hampshire, Meghan Novak of Houston, Holly & Blaine Murphy of Houston, Rita & William Padon of Houston, Ashley & Leonard Coiner of Bandera, Layton & Nyssa Shurtleff of Portland, OR, Jessica & Dustin Muir of Houston, Hilary Shurtleff of Austin, Zach Okruhlik of Austin, Emily & Danny Fairchild of Tuscon, Arizona, Reese Wachel of Hallettsville, and Jackson Earle of Joelton, TN and 8 great-grandchildren.

Funeral Mass Service: 11:30 am, Thursday, January13, 2022, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Hallettsville; with Visitation starting at 9:30 am and Rosary starting at 11:00 am. Pallbearers: Reese Wachel, Brent Novak, Zach Okruhlik, Rita Padon, Meghan Novak, and Dustin Muir. Honorary Pallbearers: Jackson Earle, Laura Hall, Layton Shurtleff, and Hilary Shurtleff. Officiant: Father Christopher Korang. Burial: immediately after service at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery. Memorials (in lieu of flowers): Sacred Heart Catholic Church/School, Hallet Oak Gallery or Crown Hospice of Victoria.