Rita Jenia

In Celebration of the life of Rita K. Jenia

Rita was born on October 30, 1937 in Bavaria, Germany to Alois Hilz and Rosina Krajnc. She was one of 10 children.
She came to America in 1957, and she met her future husband, Bill Jenia, in Houston in 1962. They dated for 2-1/2 years, and married on July 9, 1965. In 1977, Rita became a United States citizen, and it was one of her proudest moments, second only to “meeting her Bill.” They lived a happy life together in the Houston area for 35 years, then retired and moved to the Lake Limestone area in 2000 to continue their joy. They had a very good marriage and were a complement to each other.

Rita loved to hunt and fish with Bill. She also loved to garden both vegetables and flowers. She really loved roses, especially red ones, because her favorite color was red. She was also an immaculate housekeeper who loved to cook and bake. Bill said, “She loved to bake bread, but the loaves never lasted!” She could also make the best cabbage rolls in the world.

Although Rita was raised a Catholic, in April of 2011 she and Bill joined Victory Baptist Church. She enjoyed working in the kitchen and on several committees, including the flower committee, food for the needy, and the Lord’s Supper committee. She especially loved decorating the church for Christmas. Decorating the Christmas tree was her “job” and she always made the tree look beautiful. During the Lord’s Supper preparations, Verna used to chide her for filling the cups too full. It didn’t matter. Rita loved doing it anyway. She was especially close to Ms. Ella Radenz until Ms. Ella went to see Jesus. They are probably having quite a conversation now!
Rita and Bill had no children, but Rita loved kids, especially her nieces and nephews -- and the Youth on a Mission kids. She also loved “older people” and enjoyed their company. She had such a positive outlook on life. Everyone who knew her loved her.
Rita and her sister Anita, who still lives in Germany, were very close and talked often on the phone.

Then came the day when Rita was diagnosed with cancer. She tried valiantly to fight it, and always had a positive outlook about it. She endured numerous chemo and radiation treatments, which caused her to lose her hair. It was no problem for Rita. She was proud of the hats she could wear, especially the one made for her by her sister-in-law Iva. All through her illness, her Bill was by her side doing whatever she needed from him. Near the end of the battle, Bill was joined by his sister Iva, who lovingly helped her brother and is still helping him today.

In the early morning hours of March 30, 2014, our dear sister Rita took her last breath on this earth and left us to be with our Lord. She went peacefully.

Rita was preceded in death by her parents, Alois Hilz and Rosina Krajnc; her sisters Louise Lang and Rosemarie Kassmanshuber; and her brother Alfred Hilz. All lived in Germany, except for her sister Louise, who lived in Canada.

She is survived by her loving husband, Bill; her brothers Gustauf Krajnc and Lothar Hilz (both in Germany); her sisters Anita Richter (Germany), Renate Krenn (Germany), Hilda Miller (Kansas), and Elfride Sedlmayer (Arizona); her sisters-in-law Iva Mae Huffman, Phyllis Loraine Miley, Ila Kay Helton, and Virginia Ann Campbell; and nieces and nephews too numerous to list.

The family is requesting donations to Wounded Warrior Project in lieu of flowers.