Rita Ann Scheuring was born May 22, 1940, in Beresford, South Dakota, to Nicholas and Genevieve (O'Connor) Scheuring. She graduated from Beresford High School and attended Briar Cliff College in Sioux City, Iowa. Rita was a middle school secretary for many years at Hoover Middle School in Sioux City.

Rita married Arthur Fairfield on August 6, 1962, in Beresford, South Dakota. Four children blessed this union.

Rita was an active member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Sioux City, Iowa and volunteered many hours to many organizations in Sioux City. After moving to Valentine, Nebraska in 2018, she was active at St Nicholas Catholic church. She was an avid fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes, South Dakota State Jackrabbits, Green Bay Packers, and any team any of her grandchildren were on. Rita loved working with children of all ages and especially loved spending time with her nine grandchildren. Middle school children held a special place in her heart, and she often said the students who are the hardest to love are the ones that needed love the most. She touched many lives and made friends everywhere she went.

Rita was 84 years old and passed away August 8, 2024, at Rock County Long Term Care in Bassett, Nebraska. She was preceded in death by her husband Art Fairfield; her parents Nicholas and Genevieve Scheuring; daughters Catherine and Erma Fairfield; sisters Anita Girard, Corrine Lingberg, and Mary Ramsell; and brothers-in-law Bud Girard, Rich Lingberg, Berdie Ramsell and Dennis Hoven.

She is survived by son Clare (Catherine) of Coralville, Iowa and by daughter Callie (Neil) Kreutner of Valentine, Nebraska. Also surviving are nine grandchildren: Christiana (Cody) Wagner, Emily (Matt) Kendzicky, Olivia (Shane) Smith, Hannah (Paul) Palmer, McKenzie Fairfield, Harrison Fairfield, Nick Fairfield, Connor Kreutner, and Emma Kreutner.  Rita is also survived by her only great grandchild, granddaughter Quinn Wagner and her one brother Nick (Uko) Scheuring of Deer Park, Washington. Also survived by sister-in-law, Madelyn Hoven of Brandon, South Dakota.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Rita Fairfield, age 84 of Valentine will be held on Friday, August 16 at 10:00 AM at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Valentine.  The burial will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery.  The Rosary will be recited on Thursday, August 15 at 7:00 PM at the Church.  A visitation will be held on Thursday, August 15 from noon to 4:00 PM at Sandoz Chapel of the Pines in Valentine.  Mrs. Fairfield passed away on August 8 at the Rock County Long Term Care in Bassett.