Rita Mayer of Spearfish, South Dakota, died Thursday, April 7, 2011, at the age of 61. Rita was born in Deadwood, SD in 1949, the daughter of Thomas G. Mayer and Edna (Leino) Mayer, and graduated from Spearfish High School in 1968. She received her B.A., Summa Cum Laude, from Morningside College and her M.A., Phi Beta Kappa, from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. Rita taught composition and literature at a number of colleges and universities, retiring from San Antonio College, San Antonio, Texas, as an Associate Professor of English.



Long active in feminist and progressive issues, including being one of the organizers of the first feminist conference in the Black Hills, Rita was named Texas Feminist Activist of the Year by Texas National Organization for Women. She was a Lawrence County Democrat and board member of the South Dakota Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union.



After returning to the Black Hills, Rita became a student and teacher of Qigong, a Chinese energy healing practice and a student of Jin Shin Jyutsu, a Japanese energy healing practice.



Per Rita's request, there will be no funeral or memorial service.