When Irish eyes are smilin,’ sure it’s like a morn in spring

Rita (Hughes) Buehler, age 58 of Rochester, Minnesota, died on Tuesday, July 24, 2018, of a sudden heart attack at Mayo Clinic St. Mary’s Campus.

She was born to Leo and Helen (Foley) Hughes on March 4, 1960. The sixth child of a large family of eight brought with it responsibility and love of family.

She was raised on a dairy farm in Fillmore County east of Chatfield, Minnesota, working beside all of her siblings and parents. Haying in the summer was a task that all of us remember! Rita had a strong faith that enabled her to go through life helping others, teaching to young minds, supporting colleagues in education, and loving her family.

Rita attended school and graduated from Chosen Valley High School in Chatfield in 1978. She completed her BS in Elementary Education from Winona State University in 1982. She began her teaching career in Dodge Center, MInnesota, in 1984 and then went on to Kasson-Mantorville where she taught first grade and kindergarten for 28 years. She was very active in Education MN and the local KMEM. She was awarded KM Teacher of the Year 2018.

She shared her piano playing talents with the kindergarten sing along, teaching piano lessons, and playing at church. Community involvement included donating blood, volunteering at Relay for Life, and helping with dinners at Ronald McDonald House and Hope Lodge.

Rita is survived by her son, Luke Buehler of Rochester, Minnesota, and her daughter, Mary Rose Buehler of Kasson Minnesota. She is also survived by siblings Mary (Dennis) Ludwig, Kathleen (Greg) Spoo, Lauretta Hughes all of Rochester; James (Cindy) Hughes of Marysville, Washington; Shannan Hughes of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Mollie Hughes, and Daniel (Elaine) Hughes both of Austin, Minnesota and a number of nieces and nephews.

Her mother, Helen (2001) and her father, Leo (2016) preceded her in death.

Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. on Monday, July 30, 2018 and one hour prior to the service on Tuesday at Church of the Holy Family Catholic Church in Kasson.

Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 31 at Church of the Holy Family Catholic Church in Kasson.

Rita’s favorite color was red. Wear red if your desire.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to be distributed according to their wishes.