Rita Ann Kampeter, age 101, of Argyle, was born January 9, 1921, at Argyle, in Osage County, a daughter of Joseph and Martha Sophie (Eichholz) Hilke, and passed from this life Tuesday, May 17, 2022, at her residence near Argyle.

She was united in marriage September 26, 1945, at Argyle, to Lawrence Casper Kampeter, and to this union, four children were born.

Mrs. Kampeter was a member of St. Aloysius Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus Council 2047 Auxiliary, and a charter member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8045 Auxiliary serving as president, all in Argyle.  She enjoyed doing volunteer work at the VA Hospital as an escort, cooking for weddings and funerals, quilting, playing cards, listening to polka music, and especially enjoyed being with her family.

In addition to being a devoted housewife and homemaker to her family during her working life, she was also employed at Linn, Meta, and later by the Unilever Corporation, Jefferson City, first in the factory and later as the cook, for fifteen years prior to her retirement in 1986.

Those left to celebrate the life of Mrs. Kampeter include:  Two sons, Larry Kampeter and wife, Mary, of Vienna, and James Kampeter and wife, Jean, of Argyle; two daughters, Margie Trippensee and husband, Mark, of Jefferson City, and Irene Holtschneider and husband, Charles, of Jefferson City; nine grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren; one brother, Urban Hilke and his wife, Wanda, of Independence; two sisters, Marie Gremaud of St. Louis, and Jane Meldrem and husband, Jack, of Jefferson City; nephews, nieces; many other relatives; and a host of friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Joe and Martha Hilke; six brothers, Leo, Conrad, Bernard, Joseph, Jr., and Fred Hilke, and an infant brother at birth; three sisters, Florentine Muckensturm, Virginia Bax, and Ermalinda Schwartze; and one great-granddaughter, Addyson Elaine Keeler.

Visitation for Mrs. Rita Kampeter will be held from 10 a.m. until 12 noon, Friday, May 20, 2022, in St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 1 Church Lane, Argyle, MO 65001, with her Mass of Christian Burial following at 12 noon in the church with Rev. Basil Tigga and Rev. James Finder as concelebrants.

Interment will be next to her husband, Lawrence, in St. Aloysius Cemetery, Argyle, with Jason Kampeter, Jeremy Kampeter, Bruce Kampeter, Craig Kampeter, Lucas Holtschneider, and Doug Hilke serving as pallbearers and Matt Serrano, Kent Beck, Doug Keeler, and Rick Dawson as honorary pallbearers for Mrs. Kampeter.

Memorial contributions in memory of Mrs. Rita Kampeter are suggested by her family for masses or per the wishes of the family with envelopes available in church day of service or in care of Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, P.O. Box 250, Vienna, MO 65582.