Blair native Rita J. Halligan, 60, of North Platte, died Friday, Aug. 22, 2003, at her home after fighting a short battle with cancer.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 30, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in North Platte. Inurnment of her cremains will be in Floral Laws Memorial Gardens.

Rita Jane Halligan was born Dec. 15, 1942, in Blair to Joe Grover and Ruth Jane (Rosenbaum) Stewart of Kennard. She attended Wranch School and Spiker Country Schools in Washington County and was in the last class to graduate from Kennard High School in 1960.

She married Boyd Lambert in October, 1960. The couple had two children. They later divorced and she married Merle Halligan on Aug. 11, 1978.

Mrs. Halligan was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and the American Legion Auxiliary in Kennard. She loved to read and watch car racing. Her family will remember her as a great mom, grandma, sister, aunt and friend. Her family was very important to her and she never missed taking pictures at any family celebration.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Robin and Don Peck of North Platte; son and daughter-in-law, Rex and Sue Lambert of Kennard; three step-daughters and their families, Deb and Jim Linde, Lisa Courtney and Angie and Bill Kelley, all of Iowa; three step-sons and their families, Mike and Dawn Halligan, Scott and Lori Halligan, and Patrick Halligan, all of Iowa; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Lynn and Vernon Wulf and Julie and Mark Kuhr, all of Blair; a brother and sister-in-law, Joe and Nina Stewart of Blair; 23 step-grandchildren; 12 step great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law and spouses, Mary Francis Costano of West Covina, Calif., Pat and Jim Granger of West Union, Iowa, and Alice and Floyd Otto of North Hollywood, Calif.; many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins; her puppy, Snicker, and special friends, Pam and Joe Brabham, Judy and Bill Smith, and Sister Jean Macke, all of North Platte.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Merle; parents, a step-grandson, Brian Tobin, and a great nephew.

Her family has established a memorial.

Odean Colonial Chapel in North Platte is in charge of arrangements.