Rita Shirley Lepak

Rita Shirley Lepak died peacefully October 2, 2015, of cancer. Rita was born April 26, 1934 in Oklahoma City, the daughter of Frank and Martina Schott. She was baptized in Sacred Heart Church. Rita was raised in a close-knit family with her sister, Susan Berney, and brother, Johnny Schott. As a child, Rita enjoyed cooking, paper dolls and reading. She attended St Joseph's High School and graduated from Mount Saint Mary's, where she was class valedictorian. Rita married Clement B. Lepak July 16, 1955. Soon thereafter, they lived for some years in South America by way of Schlumberger Oilfield Services. Upon their return to Oklahoma City, they became active in Saint Patrick's Parish and subsequently Saint Francis of Assisi Parish, where Rita remained an active congregation member, serving as a school volunteer, Altar Society officer, and Eucharistic Minister throughout. Rita was given the Council of Catholic Women Lifetime Woman of Achievement Award and the Altar Society Earth Angel Award. In their 55 years of marriage, Rita and Clem enjoyed a long tenure with the Saint Vincent DePaul Society, welcomed foster babies into their home, maintained their farm in Yukon, joined square dancing clubs, took family vacations across the country and, in later years, couples' trips -- particularly to Oklahoma areas of interest. Rita is survived by Mark and Linda Lepak, Clement Craig and Theresa Lepak, Keith Lepak, and Nicole and Gary Capps. Rita has 12 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Grandchildren are: Sarah, Billy (and Jenna), Benjamin, Bobby (and Paige), Brian (and Colleen), Christina, Matthew, Anthony Lepak; Kylie, Garrett, Bethany, and Jillian Capps. Great-grandchildren are Will, Cate, Lucy, and Olivia Lepak. She is also survived by sister, Susan (and Mike) Berney, brother, John (and Mary Beth) Schott, and numerous nieces and nephews. Rita was predeceased by her husband, Clem, her parents, Frank and Martina Schott, and her daughter, Denise, who succumbed to leukemia April 25, 1975. Her other relations and friends and Catholic community are too numerous to mention, yet she tirelessly gave her affection and energy to all. In lieu of flowers, our family is supporting American Cancer Society, Catholic Charities, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, and St. Vincent DePaul Society. Visitation will be at Smith & Kernke on North May, Sunday, October 4, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., followed by an Evening Prayer Service and Rosary at 7 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, October 5, at 1 p.m. at St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. Rita Shirley Lepak lived a life of grace, and will be sorely missed.