Rita Rensing

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Rita Rensing, nee Haas, 75, of Belleville, Illinois, born March 20, 1943, passed away peacefully on Friday afternoon, April 27, 2018, in her home with family by her side.

She attended the Academy of Notre Dame and graduated in 1961.  She earned a bachelor’s degree in medical technology from Saint Louis University in 1965 graduating Magna Cum Laude.  She was proud to be named a Golden Billiken.  After college, she immediately married her high school sweetheart, John, at St. James Catholic Church in Millstadt on November 23, 1965.

Rita worked as a medical technologist in microbiology and was a member of the American Society of Clinical Pathologists.  She retired from Memorial Hospital in Belleville where she was employed for 35 years.

Rita was a very special person.  Her hobbies included knitting, crafts, painting, stain glass art, as well as any and all remodeling projects.  She was a member of St. Henry’s Catholic Church and was a past member of the Cathedral mother’s club.  Rita recently dedicated her time and energy volunteering for Project Linus at Zion Lutheran Church where she met many beautiful, compassionate women who create blankets for children admitted to hospitals.  She enjoyed going to lunch with her friends from Memorial and painting under the direction of Angela Libell.

Rita was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend.  She was proud to support her husband who was a teacher and guidance counselor at Althoff Catholic for many years.  Her greatest joy in life was to spend every minute she could with her children and grandchildren.  Rita was their personal cheerleader at every athletic event and school activity.  She loved family vacations, playing cards, and baking with her grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Adolph and Marie, Idoux, Haas; a brother, Donald Haas; a sister, Margery Haas; her father-in-law, Oscar Rensing; her mother-in-law, Edna, nee Ernst, Rensing;  a sister-in-law, Marilyn, nee Rensing, Haas; and a grandson, Henry Rensing.

Surviving are her husband, John Rensing;
a son, John (Sara) Rensing of Glen Carbon;
two daughters, Brenda Hampton of Belleville,
and Melissa (Robert) Borik of Belleville;
and ten grandchildren, Ben, Andrew, Noah, and Oliver Rensing,
Nicky, Alex, and Allyson Hampton,
and Kaitlynn, Lauren, and Robby Borik.

She was truly strong and courageous in her tireless fight with breast cancer and eventually leukemia.

The Rensing family would like to extend a special thank you to the many supportive friends and family members, especially Reverend Kenneth York for the many visits, prayers, and good words.  In addition, the Rensing family would like to express their gratitude for the special care given by Dr. Alfred Greco, and his staff at Washington University Medical Oncology, and the nurses on the medical surgery floor at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in O’Fallon.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Althoff Catholic High School, to St Henry’s Catholic Church, or in the form of masses. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.

Visitation:  Friends may visit from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 2, 2018, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL, and from 9 to 10 a.m. Thursday, May 3, 2018, at St. Henry’s Catholic Church, Belleville, IL.

Funeral:  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 3, 2018, at St. Henry’s Catholic Church, Belleville, IL, with Reverend Kenneth York officiating.

Burial will be at Walnut Hill Cemetery, Belleville, IL.

Condolences:

13 Comments on Rita Rensing

Frank Cange said : Guest Report May 21, 2018 at 6:46 PM

John: I somehow missed your wife's Obit in the BND, my apologies for that and my condolences for her passing. Very sorry to hear of her having cancer. I have had many family members over the years get it and pass from it. We will keep your family in our prayers. Frank Cange & Family

  • Belleville
  • IL
Bill Buchholz said : Guest Report May 06, 2018 at 7:56 PM

John and family, want to send our condolences to you and your family. It's been some time since we were in Belleville and visited with you and Rita. She was such a kind and attentive member of "our" family and I am sure she will be missed by all. Please keep us informed about your family. Our prayers are with all of you. Your distant cousin, Bill Buchholz

  • Florissant
  • Missouri
Caroline (Keck) Silch said : Guest Report May 03, 2018 at 2:12 PM

My deepest sympathy to you, John, and your family for your loss. Treasure your memories.

  • Belleville
  • Illinois
Brad and Kim Martini said : Guest Report May 02, 2018 at 4:48 PM

John, we are so sorry to hear of the loss of Rita. She was a wonderful lady, and you were a wonderful couple. We are sorry we are not able to be at the memorial. We know it will be beautiful and full of love. You are in our prayers, and we are thinking of you and your family.

  • El Mirage
  • Arizona
Joe & Kathleen Davis said : Guest Report May 02, 2018 at 3:05 PM

John & Family, Sorry for your loss. May God be with all of you. Saying prayers for all of you.

  • Linwood
  • Kansas
Robert & Rebecca Morgan said : Guest Report May 02, 2018 at 11:11 AM

Brenda, we are so sorry to hear about the loss of your mother. Our thoughts, prayers and condolences are with you, your dad, the kids, and all of your family during this difficult time.

  • Knoxville
  • Tennessee
Mary Jane Fuhler said : Guest Report May 01, 2018 at 8:05 PM

John: Don't know if you remember me, but I was a friend of Marilyn, your sister, and worked with her. Your family has my sincere condolences. Tell Larry I said Hi!

  • Breese
  • Illinois
Kerrie Gasaway Harter said : Guest Report May 01, 2018 at 6:00 PM

So sorry for your loss. Your family is in our prayers.

  • Belleville
  • Ill
Mary Barbara Kurtz said : Guest Report May 01, 2018 at 1:47 PM

Mr. Rensing and family...I would just like to extend my deepest sympathy on the loss of your beloved wife, mother and grandmother. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Sincerely, Mary Barbara (Lohmann) Kurtz

  • Belleville
  • IL
Betty gibbons said : Guest Report Apr 29, 2018 at 11:48 PM

Remembering wonderful fun times. Our very deepest sympathy at the loss of Rita. Tom Gibbons family.

  • Belleville
  • Il
Gary Schneider said : Guest Report Apr 29, 2018 at 4:03 PM

John, Extending my deepest sympathy to you and your family at this difficult time..

  • Springfield
  • Illinois
John McAteer said : Guest Report Apr 29, 2018 at 2:45 PM

With sincere condolences, John.

  • Greenville
  • IL
Beth Regensberger said : Guest Report Apr 28, 2018 at 11:57 PM

I’m so very sorry for your loss. I always remember Mrs. Rensing smiling, laughing, or doing something “silly” to make her kids giggle and laugh. She will be missed.

  • Swansea
  • Illinois

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