Rita Marie Grafe, 58 , of Austin, Texas was called to her home in heaven on Friday, January 2, 2009. By her cheerful smile and attitude you would have never known she was battling cancer except for the fashionable hats she wore, having one in every color.

Rita was born on November 19, 1950 to Clarence and Marge Rehm of Hallettsville, Texas. She graduated from Sacred Heart School in 1969. On January 22, 1971, Rita married Robert J. (Bob) Grafe at Sacred Heart Church in Hallettsville. They moved to Houston, starting their family with two sons, Rodney Joseph and Randy Wayne. After moving to Austin, new additions to the family arrived, a daughter, Rachelle Lynn and a son, Ryan Joseph. In November, 1982, Rita and Bob were blessed with a fifth child, Rusty, who went to be with the Lord at the tender age of 18 months.

Rita took care of children in her home for several years and her love for children lead her to a job as a secretary and later a bookkeeper at Wooldridge Elementary School, a position she held and enjoyed for 19 years. She wore many hats, even back then, coordinating many events and making numerous life-long friends.

Rita mostly enjoyed spending time with her family, whether it was on family camping trips to Indian Lake, sporting events and dance recitals of her children and grandchildren, or just relaxing at Uncle J.D.'s Leaning Dipper Ranch, on the Medina River in Bandera, Texas.

Family weekends in Bandera will never be the same without Rita. She was always the gracious host. If there was anything you needed, Rita or Bob had it and were happy to share it with others. She always had a smile, a lawn chair and a good meal waiting for you. Rita was at home and at peace in Bandera. Recently Rita and Bob had dreams of buying a piece of land and retiring in Bandera on the Medina River.

Rita began her fight with cancer in October of 2006. She made a decision to have her cancer care done at the Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The Cancer Center had a very positive outlook for their patients and refused to give anyone an expiration date. They believe only the Lord knows the length of your days. Rita and Bob traveled many miles to Tulsa and back and made many new and precious friends. The last two years of her life, through her faith, prayer, and her trust in God, she remained happy and full of life.

Rita is survived by: her husband Robert; 3 sons, Rodney J. Grafe & wife Shelly, Randy W. Grafe, and Ryan J. Grafe all of Austin; daughter Rachelle L. Baker & husband Mark of Austin; her mother Margaret Rehm of Hallettsville; 3 brothers, Ronnie J Rehm & wife Mary Jane, Myron P. Rehm & wife Mag, and Morris G. Rehm & wife Raechel all of Hallettsville; 4 sisters, Joyce R. Eisler & husband James and Mary V. Rehm both of Sugarland, Barbara N. Michalcik & husband Glenn and Madeleine A. Vornsand & husband Allen both of Hallettsville; and 3 grandchildren, Courtney Baker, Ashley Grafe, and Reily Grafe.

Rita was preceded in death by: her son Russell "Rusty" Grafe, her father Clarence, and brother Patrick Rehm.

Rita now walks with the Lord but has left behind a legacy of Christian love, always seeing the best in every situation and in every person.

Service: 10 am, Monday, Jan. 5, 2009, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Hallettsville. Visitation: 3:30 pm, Sunday, at Kubena Funeral Home. Memorial Service: 7 pm, Sunday at Kubena Funeral Home. Pallbearers: Shane Michalcik, Rick Rehm, Dusty Rehm, Patrick Rehm, Trey Vornsand, and Chad Rehm. Burial: Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery. Officiate: Rev. John Peters.