Rita Marie (Esser) Teders, a long-time resident of McCall, died May 18, 2024, at her home after a courageous fight with cancer.

Rita was born in 1938 in Uniontown, Washington to Elmer L. and Hilda Dahm Esser. She was a big sister to Donald and Virginia.  She was of proud German stock, growing up on the family farm on the Palouse.

She attended grade school in Uniontown and in 1957, graduated from Notre Dame Academy, an all-girls Catholic high school in Colton, Washington. There she was involved in the school newspaper and yearbook and participated in every drama production throughout her four years there. She was also active in 4-H and was a delegate to Washington Girl’s State in 1956.

In the fall of 1957, Rita enrolled at Holy Names Academy in Spokane, where she continued her interest in drama, performing in several plays.

In 1968, Rita met Calvin (Cub) Lyon. The two eloped to Missoula in 1970, then moved to McCall that fall where Cub taught high school music. Rita would remain in McCall for the rest of her life.

She was never idle and took her first job working as a secretary at All American Realty. She then went to work in various capacities for John Edwards at Brundage Mountain and the Shore Lodge. She worked in the Brundage office and sold tickets at the ski lodge. At Shore Lodge she did flower arrangements and worked banquets. She loved her job. After John’s death, Rita worked at several local businesses until she was employed at May Hardware, working behind the counter, stocking shelves, and helping in the office. In all of her positions, she enjoyed interacting with the customers.

Rita was also civic minded. In the 1980s, she was a member of the McCall Planning and Zoning Commission. She volunteered at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church and St. Luke’s Hospital. She especially enjoyed working at the Heartland Hunger Food Bank and collecting food for the McCall Senior Center.

Cub died in 1993.  In 1997, Rita married Victor Teders. She continued to work but found time to travel to the Oregon Coast and Scottsdale, Arizona several times until Vic’s health declined. He died in 2014.  In 2017, Rita met Rudy Anderson. They were constant companions until her death.

Rita was an incredible cook. She loved baking cakes and trying new recipes. She enjoyed cooking for others and took part preparing many Thanksgiving feasts.

A gracious, outgoing lady, Rita was always ready to lend a hand to any project. She loved to tell the news of the town and was a fixture on Brown Circle, where she lived, befriending all of her neighbors. She will truly missed by all who knew her.

Rita was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Robert and Donald; and her sister, Ginnie. She is survived by her nephews Kevin Moser, Marvin, Aaron, and Roger Esser, and a niece, Mindy Esser; her beloved Rudy; two dear friends, Verna Vanis and Bob Hill; and her much loved dogs, Opie and Pearl.

A Memorial Service will be held Thursday, May 30, at 2 p.m. at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church. A reception will be held in the church gathering room immediately after the service. In lieu of flowers and in honor of Rita, please consider donating to Heartland Hunger, the McCall Food Bank, at P.O. Box 1929, McCall, Idaho.

Online condolences may be left at www.mccallfunerals.com

Arrangements in care of McCall Funeral Home.