Rita Adeline (Hixson) Ottenberg

Rita Adeline Ottenberg, born on November 16, 1929, in Scottdale, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully on June 8, 2026, in Rockford, Illinois. She was the beloved daughter of Alvin and Eunice (Sutor) Hixson.

Rita graduated from Scottdale High School in 1947 and dedicated 35 years of her life to the grocery business, working as a cashier and in produce at Logli/Schnuck’s Supermarkets. She was proud of her work and made many lifelong friends during her career.

Throughout her life, Rita enjoyed a variety of hobbies, including antique collecting and gardening. She was a member of Christ United Methodist Church in Rockford, IL, where she found community. Notably, Rita was a remarkable student who never missed a day of public school from first grade through her graduation.

Rita is survived by her son, Scott Frederick Ottenberg, daughter-in-law Mary (Kolb) Ottenberg, grandson Barrett Scott Ottenberg, granddaughter Abigale Lindsay Ottenberg (married to David Pradhan), as well as her cherished great-grandchildren: Noah, Isaiah, and Audrey Rose Pradhan.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Alvin and Eunice; her ex-husband, Frederick Ottenberg; and her siblings: brothers Jack and Ray Hixson; and sisters Kathryn (Hixson) Geehring, Zetta (Hixson) Ottenberg, Erma (Hixson) Strombeck, Janet (Hixson) Kimmel, and Joyce (Hixson) Means.

A private memorial service will be held for the family only. Rita will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. Sundberg Funeral Home is caring for the family.

Condlences can be made to sundbergfh.com

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