Rita Kirkland

Rita T. “Tess” Kirkland, nee Hoeffken, 82, of Swansea, IL, born March 18, 1933, in Belleville, IL, died Thursday, October 22, 2015, at her residence.

Rita was an avid dog lover and trainer, an excellent seamstress, and a stained-glass artist.  She also enjoyed fishing.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Dwight A. Kirkland, whom she married on November 28, 1953, and who died on August 16, 1998; a son, Daniel Kirkland, who died in 1977; her parents, Elmer and Helen, nee Hamant, Hoeffken; and two brothers, Donald and Frederick Hoeffken.

Surviving are two daughters, Renee (Dick) Schmid of New Athens, IL,
and Julie Kirkland (Dennis Douglas) of Swansea, IL;
four grandchildren;
eight great-grandchildren;
a brother, Theodore (Pat) Hoeffken;
three sisters, Jacqueline Hinz,
Judith (Tom) Petroff,
and Christine (David) Little;
and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Make-A-Wish Foundation or to Stray Rescue of St. Louis, 2320 Pine St., St. Louis, MO 63103, or to Hospice of Southern Illinois.  Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.

Visitation:  Friends may call from 9 to 10 a.m. Tuesday, October 27, 2015, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Belleville, IL.

Funeral:  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, October 27, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with Msgr. William McGhee officiating.  Burial will follow at Green Mount Catholic Cemetery, Belleville, IL.

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