Passed away on Jan 19, 2010

Rita J. Chandler, age 67, of Black River Falls, died on Tuesday, January 19, 2010 in Kansas City, Missouri, as the result of a motor vehicle accident. The former Rita Joan Goodenough was born on July 16, 1942 in Sparta, WI to Harold Raymond and Bessie Cordelia (Snyder) Goodenough. While Rita was a youngster, her family lived in various locations before settling in Black River Falls. As a teenager, Rita accepted Christ as her personal savior and became a Christian. She married Jerry G. Chandler on February 6, 1960 at the Black River Falls Assembly of God Church by Pastor Gordon Johnson. Rita and Jerry lived in Black River Falls for 10 years before purchasing their home in the Pine Hill area of Jackson County 38 years ago. As a young woman, Rita chose to marry and raise a family rather than graduate from high school. After having a daughter and two sons, Cathy, Mark, and David, she returned to classes at Black River Falls Senior High School and graduated with the Class of 1971. In 1979, Rita and Jerry experienced the birth of their fourth child, Peter. She was employed at the Avalon Cafe and as a secretary at the Family Worship Assembly of Black River Falls and by the Black River Falls School District in the transportation department and in the school lunch program. She also was employed as a bus driver for the hearing impaired. She was an attendee of the Parkview Church of Black River Falls, and a member ofthe Sweet Adeline Chorus and the Jackpine Travelers Camping Club. Rita enjoyed many hobbies and activities including riding motorcycles, camping, rosemaling, sewing, knitting, crocheting, cross-country skiing, boating, fishing, horseback riding, and playing cards and dominoes. Survivors include her husband, Jerry of Black River Falls; a daughter, Cathy (Larry) Hendrick of Apopka, FL; 3 sons, Mark (Kim) Chandler of Black River Falls, David (Darla) Chandler of Bandera, TX, and Peter (Sara) Chandler of Hixton; 19 Grandchildren; a sister, Jacky Lampe of Sacramento, CA; a brother, Gary Goodenough of Sacramento, CA; and numerous other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Bessie Goodenough; a brother, Harold Goodenough, Jr.; and a sister, Lila Schaefer. Memorial services will be at 11 A.M. on Thursday, January 28, 2010 at the Parkview Church and burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, both in Black River Falls. Pastor Brule Buselmeier will officiate. Family and friends are invited for visitation from 4 to 7 P.M. on Wednesday, January 27, at the Buswell Funeral Home, Black River Falls, and at the church on Thursday from 10 A.M. until 11 A.M. Online condolences are available at www.buswellfuneralhome.com