Rita Mozelle Schafer

Rita Mozelle Schafer, beloved wife, mother, grandmother (Grandma Mo), sister, and friend, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, June 22, 2019 at the age of 78, at her home in Cortez, Colorado with her husband, Warren and family by her side.
Mozelle was born on July 9, 1940 at home west of Arriola, Colorado to Hugh and Mary Lee Rausher. She married Warren A. Schafer on June 8, 1958 in Cortez, CO and enjoyed 61 years of marriage. She was a loving wife and mother who volunteered in many capacities in her church and community. She served at First Baptist church organizing and serving funeral dinners, planning and leading praise and worship music at her church, and serving as an assistant to the church secretary. She also sang in a women’s quartet at her church and for many funerals and special events. She was involved in Christian Women’s club for many years, serving in leadership positions and as a speaker travelling throughout Colorado and New Mexico. Mozelle was involved in Common Ground and community laity services. In her spare time, she worked alongside her husband assisting him as “Mrs. Fix-it” doing various projects (book-keeping, laying tile, and being an all-around gopher.) She also enjoyed gardening with her husband, planting flowers taking up Warren’s space for his vegetable garden.
A celebration of life will be held at First Baptist Church on Saturday, June 29, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. Mozelle is survived by her husband, Warren; her five children, Rick Schafer (Mary Jayne) of Mesa, AZ, Rita Tripp of Cortez, CO, Rhonda Schafer of Cortez, CO, Rachelle Starkel (Gregg), Ramona LeBlanc (Peter); her grandchildren, Autumn Sobol (Mark), Mesa, AZ, Brandon Tripp of Portland, OR, Bryan Tripp of Fort Bragg NC, Andrea Tripp of Portland, OR, Luke LeBlanc and Alyssa LeBlanc; her great-grandchildren, Jillian and Ryleigh Sobol; her brother Loren Rausher (Judy); her sister Moya Gray (John); her sister-in-laws Carolyn Gray, Cheryl Carmichael (Ken), Donna Miller (Gerald), Marcie Nash (Brian); and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Mozelle is preceded in death by her parents Hugh and Mary Lee Rausher; her father & mother-in-law, Warren C. and Naomi Schafer; brothers-in-law, Doug Schafer and Orville Gray; and grandchildren Ryan Schafer and Amanda Starkel.
Mozelle had the gift of hospitality; she knew no strangers. Her life was spent in service of her lord and savior Jesus Christ. She loved her family and friends and will be greatly missed by all who loved her and knew her.