Rita (Rieka) D. C. Moorlach

Rieka “Rita” Dina Cornelia Moorlach passed away on March 29, 2025 in Bartlett, Tennessee, at the age of 94. Rita was born on July 22, 1930 in Houwerzijl (in the province of Groningen in the Netherlands) to Lammert de Boer and Jantje de Boer-Huizinga. She was the sixth of seven children.

Rita grew up on a large farm (named “Westerstede”) in Uithuizen, NL. She endured World War II and Nazi occupation during her adolescent years. In 1942, two of her brothers went into hiding to avoid their conscription by the German Army. Her father was subsequently arrested for not “producing” his sons. He miraculously escaped his captors, then also went into hiding for the duration of the war. Rita was instrumental in helping her mother run the household and family farm for the next two years.

Out of necessity, Rita cultivated remarkable talents in sewing, needlework, knitting, gardening and cooking. Recognizing her gifts in these areas, she attended college to pursue a degree in home economics. However, she chose to end her studies to nurse her mother back to health after a life-threatening illness. Soon after, she was courted by Klaas “Kent” Meindert Moorlach during his university years, and they married on August 27, 1953. They were married for 65 years before the Lord called her husband home.

Their union was blessed with two sons (Johannes "John" and Edward) before they made the decision to immigrate to the United States of America in 1960, at which time they Americanized their names to Kent and Rita. They settled down in California, where another son and a daughter were born (Kent and Annemarie). Rita was a woman of strong faith who worked hard to model that faith in God for her children. She also modeled hard work and persistence. Her children were frequently amazed that she could “make something out of nothing,” and her husband Kent credited her as being “the thriftiest household manager in California.” Kent earned a living by selling life, property and casualty insurance, while Rita stayed at home to raise their four children. During these years, Rita became fluent with the English language, assimilated to life in Orange County, and both she and Kent served in many capacities at their church in Buena Park.

Rita had a full life ministering to others while further developing her creative skills. She returned to college to earn a certification in Interior Decorating. She became a master seamstress and quilter, tole-painter, and creator of arts and crafts. Many church functions were the beneficiary of her decorations and ideas. She also participated in craft bazaars and fundraisers, and gave of her time and resources to Vacation Bible School programs. In all things, she gracefully gave of herself to her family and others.

In their retirement, Kent and Rita lived to serve their children and grandchildren. They eventually moved in 2018 to a retirement community near their daughter Annemarie's family in Colorado. Then, two years after becoming a widow, Rita moved in 2021 to live with her son Kent's family in Tennessee. She remained strong and self-sufficient throughout these moves, until her physical body began to fail in late 2023. She was surrounded by all of her children and many grandchildren in her last weeks of life, and peacefully entered Heaven with the joy and knowledge of having accepted God’s gift of salvation in Jesus Christ.

Rita leaves behind 4 children and their spouses, 14 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren (listed separately below). She is also survived by 4 sisters-in-law: Gladys (Harold) DeBoer in Twin Falls, ID; Alida (Edward) DeBoer in Pasadena, CA; Auty Moorlach in Hoogeveen, NL; and Marilyn (Mike) Moorlach in Apple Valley, MN.

Preceding Rita in death were her parents, her 6 siblings, her husband Kent Moorlach, his parents, and 4 of his 5 siblings. Rita’s deceased siblings are: Jaap (and wife Gré) de Boer (NL), John (and wife Tena) DeBoer (USA), Dick (and wife Aliedje) de Boer (NL), Edward DeBoer (USA), Harold DeBoer (USA), and Annie Marie (and husband Post) Wiersema-de Boer (NL). Kent’s parents were Johannes Moorlach and Geziena Moorlach-Ausema, and his deceased siblings are: Hillie (and husband Wim) Koolen-Moorlach (NL), Mike Moorlach (USA), Wim (and wife Doortje) Moorlach (NL), and Carla Moorlach (NL).

Rita will be laid to rest at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Cypress, California. Her memorial service is scheduled for 10:30am on Saturday, May 24, at the church in Buena Park where she so faithfully dedicated her time and talents throughout the majority of her life: Neighbors and Nations Christian Church, 6575 Crescent Avenue, Buena Park CA 90620. All who knew her are welcome to attend. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider honoring Rita’s legacy with a donation to Rita’s church in Tennessee, pastored by her son Kent: Richland Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, 8658 Rosemark Road, Millington, TN 38053 (http://www.richlandarp.org/online-giving.html)

FAMILY LEGACY OF RITA AND KENT MOORLACH:

Costa Mesa, CA:     John (Johannes) Meindert Willem Moorlach 
                                 Trina Marie Moorlach-Lehmeier 
        Livermore, CA:      Joseph Edward Robb
                                       Sarah Marie Robb-Moorlach 
                                             Jordi Jane 
                                             Jericho John 
                                             Juliet June 
                                            Jacob Joseph 
        Tustin, CA:             Caleb Michael Johannes Moorlach
                                       Monika Moorlach-Teuffel 
                                             Koa Keitaro Johannes 
                                             Oaken Kojiro Johannes 
        Aliso Viejo, CA:      Daniel Kent Edward Moorlach
                                        Katie (Kathryn) Nicole Moorlach-Jacober 
                                             Audrey Christine

Fullerton, CA:           Edward Harold Jan Moorlach
                                 Angel Mary Moorlach-Asche 
                                       Jeanette Eden Moorlach 
                                       Pierce Edward Kent Moorlach

Millington, TN:          Kent Michael Moorlach 
                                  Stephanie Heather Moorlach-Asche 
                                       Justus Micah Edward Moorlach 
                                       Faith Moriah Moorlach 
                                       Xara Joy Moorlach 
                                       Christian Moorlach 
                                       Valor Moorlach

Centennial, CO:        Annemarie LeFebre-Moorlach 
                                  Bradley Todd LeFebre 
        Denver, CO:           Mallory LeFebre 
        Centennial, CO:     Chad Michael LeFebre 
                                       Emory Blaire LeFebre-Ferguson 
                                             Wren Annemarie 
         Lakewood, CO:     Matthew Todd LeFebre 
         Centennial, CO:    William Bradley LeFebre

Psalm 16:11 - You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; 
                        At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.