Rita Jean Shabram

A funeral service for Rita Jean Shabram, 73, of Orchard, will be at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, April 24, at the Orchard United Methodist Church. Pastor Janene Reynolds will officiate. Burial will follow in the Orchard Hill Cemetery. 

Visitation will be on Tuesday, April 23, from 5 to 7:30 p.m., at the Orchard United Methodist Church. 

Rita died on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at Antelope Memorial Hospital in Neligh.  Arrangements are entrusted to Ashburn Funeral Home.

Rita Thelander was born on Dec. 24, 1950, in Orchard, to Keith and Emma (Anson) Thelander. The youngest of four children, Rita grew up in Orchard and graduated from Orchard High School in 1968. After high school, she attended Norfolk Junior College for one year and then transferred to Wayne State College, where she graduated in 1972 with a Bachelor's Degree in elementary education. Following graduation, Rita taught at Emporia Public School in rural Orchard for one year before teaching two years at Inman Public School. Following those stints, she then taught sixth grade for 35 years at Orchard Public School before retiring in May 2011.

Rita married Monte Shabram at the United Methodist Church, in Orchard, on Feb, 15, 1975. To this union, two children were born, Jeffrey and David.   She was an active member of the Orchard United Methodist Church for more than 60 years. She was also a member of the United Methodist Women for many years and the Deborah Rebekah Lodge #63 for 55 years. Rita served on many, many other committees in and around Orchard, such as the Orchard Alumni Association and the American Red Cross blood drive committee.

Rita was a devoted wife to her husband Monte for nearly 50 years. She was a proud mother and grandmother and enjoyed spending time with her family. She also loved spending time at church, community and school events. Rita's favorite events were those of her four grandkids. She was a kind, loving and dedicated lady who had a hug for everyone!

Rita is survived by her husband, Monte; her two children, Jeff (Mandy) Shabram of Orchard and David (Kristeen) Shabram of Omaha; grandchildren, Gunnar, Wyatt, Stella and Palmer; sisters-in-law, Connie Thelander, Marian Shabram, Harriet (Loren) Lorenz; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She is preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Bill, Fred, and Lynn Thelander; one sister-in-law, Sharon Thelander; and two brothers-in-law, Greg Shabram and LeRoy Shabram.