Rita Jane Neidigh Burg Irons was born in Elgin, IL on May 7,1946 to Raymond Samuel Neidigh and Cora Genivieve Cook.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Brinda Pape, and her husband, Delbert Irons.

Rita is survived by her children: Renee' Michelle Burg Sechrist and husband Dan of Fredericksburg, TX; as well as her son, Kirk Kevin Burg, of Austin, TX. She is also survived by her grandchildren Rebecca Lynn Sechrist West and husband Ben of Knoxville, TN and Abigail Faith Sechrist of College Station, TX.  In addition, she is survived by her stepchildren Samuel Irons of NM, Dan Irons and Mary of WA, Mathew Irons of WA, Beth Irons of WA, and William Irons and Sandy of MO.

Rita spent her childhood in Elgin, IL. There Rita began to live a life of excellence.  She sang in the children's church choir, danced ballet for ten years, and she speed-skated competitively for seven years. The work ethic which made her athletically successful ensured she was not afraid to try something new. Along with her family, Rita worked many summers in TX at Prade Ranch as a ranch hand. In 1962, her father retired from the Elgin Watch Company, and he promptly moved the family to TX.

Rita enrolled at Fredericksburg High School where her success continued. She played basketball, was an All-Star cast member in theater, and participated in the vocational program. During high school, Rita served as Gillespie County Fair Queen and Stonewall Peach Dutchess, showcasing the sparkling wit and personality she was known for–and which led to her first marriage. As a junior in high school, Rita visited Stonewall, TX, where she met her first love, Charles Emil Burg. Just over a year later, they married on August 13, 1965, and they promptly had 2 children who were the light of her life.

Her favorite job titles were "Mother" and "Volunteer" – and she excelled at both endeavors. While raising her children in Fredericksburg, she volunteered at FISD Elementary and Grade School, led her daughter's Girl Scout troupe, and she entranced audiences while with the Fredericksburg Theater Company. She worked with the Gillespie County Fairgrounds Association, the FUMC Youth Group, the FHS Band Booster, the Needs Council, the Crisis Hotline, and Meals on Wheels. Borders did not stop her; she did mission work in Guatemala after a big earthquake.

In the 1980's, Rita expanded her resume. She owned and operated "Calico Cat," a fabric store on Main St. There is where she encouraged and facilitated others in arts and crafts, particularly in costuming and sewing. What others would consider a tragedy; Rita turned into success. In 1987, she lost her vision. She tackled this new challenge by enrolling at Criss Cole Rehabilitation for the Blind in Austin where she learned to navigate her new way of living. Next, she attended Austin Community College and earned her associate's degree as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant. For the next 30 years, Rita worked as a COTA in Austin and Fredericksburg. She met and eventually married Delbert Gale Irons on September 1, 2003, at which point she again became a permanent Fredericksburg resident. Rita continued to be active in the community, now moving on to work with the Lions Club, FUMC Stephen Ministers, Emmaus Breakfast Group, FUMC Choose Faith Sunday School Class, and she even started a Low Vision Information Group which continues to be active in Fredericksburg.

After retiring from COTA, Rita began making jewelry and started her business, 5 B's, "Beautiful Beads By Blind Beader." She loved making and selling jewelry, at the same time, saw a need for plus size clothing and other accessories on Main Street. So, she expanded into a full retail vendor at Things in a Room on Main St. She retired from retail in 2024 and continued her Low Vision Information Group.  She spent her last days helping her fellow residents at Knopp Assisted Living.

Rita was a mother, a wife, a volunteer, a business owner, and an athletic and energetic member of every community she joined. She believed in service, leadership through example, and she found time to listen, to help others, and to be there for her children and her community. She did not allow blindness to slow her down; it simply offered her a new chance to excel. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.