Rita M. Sandkamp

Rita M. Sandkamp, age 84, of Hastings and formerly of Vermillion, died peacefully on Monday, September 7, 2015 at St. Josephs Hospital in St. Paul, following a recent illness. Rita Maxine, the daughter of Maximillion and Eva (Weitzel) Hammerschmidt, was born on August 20, 1931 in McLaughlin, South Dakota. On August 9, 1952 Rita was united in marriage to Leo F. Sandkamp in St. Paul Park, MN. He later preceded her in death on February 11, 2005. Rita enjoyed spending her time as a school aide for many years. She was also a longtime member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Vermillion, where she often volunteered in any way she could. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Leo; two sons, Dennis and Thomas; and by her brother Joe. Rita is survived by her five children, Gregory (Cindy) Sandkamp, Valerie (Terry) Schluessler, Christine (Randy) Odman, Scott Sandkamp (Colleen Goodwin), all of Hastings and Jennifer (Brian) Erickson of Vermillion; also 12 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren; her siblings, Clea (Jim) Dalton, Irma (Richard) Carlson, Anna Flaherty, Matt (Kathy) Hammerschmidt and Ray Hammerschmidt. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 AM Friday, September 11, 2015 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 106 West Main St., Vermillion, with Father Cole Kracke officiating. Visitation will be held two hours prior to the service at church. Interment will follow in the parish cemetery. Pallbearers are grandsons, Jason Sandkamp, Joe Sandkamp, Dustin Schluessler, Derek Schluessler, Tony Odman, Nick Odman, Randy Odman and Brody Erickson; honorary pallbearers are granddaughters, Jessica Sandkamp, Jahna Sandkamp, Tessa Fritz and Brooke Erickson. Memorials are preferred to St. Joseph's Hospital ICU.