Rita A. Lefler, 87, of Wellington died on Saturday, May 8, 2021 at her residence. Born in Elyria on May 28, 1933, she was the daughter of the late Louise (nee Slauf) and Ross Baumgardner. She graduated in 1951 from Elyria Catholic High School and lived in Florida for most of her life before moving to Wellington to be near family.

Rita was a legal secretary for many years, receiving an American Business Women's Association award for her expertise. She enjoyed and excelled in arts and crafts, interior design, flower arranging, knitting, crocheting and making ceramics. Rita also liked to sell her art at crafting shows and donated hundreds of hats, scarves and blankets each year.

Left to treasure her memory is her son, Dennis Stewart of Chuckey, TN; stepchildren, William Lefler, Jr. of Colorado and Mary Jane Lefler of Willoughby; 5 grandchildren; siblings, Dolores Bean of Oberlin and Norma Downs of Wellington. She is preceded in death by her loving husband, William Lefler; daughter, Rita Louise; sons, Daniel and David Stewart and siblings, Leo Baumgardner and Marcella Kelling.

A memorial mass will be held on Saturday, May 22, 2021 at 10 am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 410 W. Lorain Street, Oberlin, OH 44074. Burial will follow at New Russia Township Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to Norton-Eastman Funeral Home and expressions of sympathy may be given at www.norton-eastmanfuneralhome.com.