Rita Jacksha

A follower of Jesus Christ will be other-focused, self-emptying and loving enemies because that’s who Jesus is. Rita Jane Moser Jacksha, who died at 100 on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, had those qualities (but what enemies?) because of her relationship with and devotion to Jesus. She died peacefully at home, falling asleep watching TV with her son Tom.

Rita was born Dec. 10, 1923, in Colton to Aloysius and Lillian Stevens Moser. Rita grew up on the Moser farm on Bald Butte Road where her father grew up, just up the road from where her father (also known at A.T. or Fizzle) met Lillian Stevens, of Spokane, who was teaching at the Bald Butte School. Rita grew up with her older brother Bob and younger sisters Mary Ann and Polly who became Mrs. Clete Dahmen. Also staying at the family farm during summers were numerous cousins from Canada who help with harvest. Catholic Church activities were central to the extended Moser family. Rita’s devotion to the Catholic Church and family were defining qualities of her long life.

After finishing high school in Colton, Rita attended college at Seattle University then finished at Kinman Business School in Spokane. She worked at Northern Pacific Railroad in Spokane as a bookkeeper. At the persistent attention and affection shown by her longtime boyfriend Everett Jacksha, they were married on Oct. 26, 1946, and started a life and family together that lasted 52 years.

Everett and Rita rented area farm houses while their six children were born, finally moving in 1959 to the house Everett built on Grant Street in Moscow. Everett died in that house in 1998 after retiring from his house building business. Rita died in that same house. They were able to stay there during their declining years because their son Tom moved in to become their grounds keeper, personal trainer and caregiver. He also brought to the home their much-loved dogs whom Everett said extended his life two years.

Rita was a homemaker, and an active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church where she volunteered at the food bank, joined women’s groups and helped with meals. Besides church and family, growing things, especially flowers, meant much to her. She enjoyed being a part of the Moscow Garden Club. She also loved the outdoors, fishing with her husband, spending time at the Rocky Point lake cabin at Heyburn State Park, and traveling with family and friends. And let’s not forget her grandkids and their families who brought her endless joy and smiles to her face.

Rita was preceded in death by all family in her generation and by her son Jeff in 1970. She is survived by children Julie (Dick) Everhart, Jerry (Suzanne), Jim (Stacy), John and Tom; grandchildren Barbie, Kristi, Andy, Jessica, Brook, Natalie and Lindsay; and 16 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren, and a lot of nephews and nieces and their families, cherishing them all in thoughts and prayer. In fact, she was with family two days before she passed with five generations present.

Graveside services will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17, at the Moscow Cemetery.

A rosary will be recited at 12:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 20, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 618 E. First St., Moscow, followed by a memorial Mass at 1 p.m. Following the funeral, there will be a reception at the American Legion Cabin, 317 S. Howard St., Moscow.

Short’s Funeral Chapel of Moscow is in charge of arrangements, and condolences may be left at shortsfuneralchapel.com.