Rita was a homemaker and babysitter. Rita had a strong faith in God and was a former member of both St. Henry’s Catholic Church and First United Presbyterian Church, Belleville, IL. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt. She was actively involved in the lives of her family and the children she babysat for. She will be deeply missed by many.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Daryel E. Stringer, whom she married on June 9, 1962, and who died on June 17, 1995; her parents, George C. and Mabel, nee Hesse, Ralph; two sons, David Stringer and Larry Stringer; a daughter in infancy, Geraldine Stringer; five brothers, George Ralph, Jim Ralph, Bob Ralph, John Ralph, and Tom Ralph; and four sisters, Theresa Deschene, Donna Kunz, Mary Louise Ralph, and Marguerite Ralph.
She is survived by a daughter, Sharon Stringer-Osborne;
a son, Kevin Stringer;
a granddaughter, Lexi Osborne;
a sister, Ellen Dahlkamp;
four sisters-in-law, Loretta Ralph, Mary Ralph, Louise Ralph, and Lynn Ralph;
one brother-in-law, Ed Kunz;
and many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 23, 2017, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Springfield, IL.
Funeral: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 23, 2017, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Springfield, IL, with Rev. Braden Maher officiating. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery, Springfield, IL. A memorial service in Belleville, IL, will be held at a later date.
Condolences Left For Rita Stringer
We are sorry to hear about the loss of your mom. She was a kind lady and always willing to help out if needed. Whether it be to watch the children, give directions or anything else. She always had a smile on her face. Sending prayers to you all.
Diggs Family, Belleville, IL, 62226
Dear Sharon, Kevin & Stringer Family,
My sympathy on the death of your mom.
We were next-door neighbors on Shirley Drive. She was a really nice neighbor and a kind lady.
Sincerely,
Susan Schomber
Susan Schomber, Maryville, Illinois, 62062
Love and Prayers Sherry and Kevin! Aunt Rita was a beautiful person inside and out and so very loved by everyone who had the privilege to know her.
I have very fond memories of holidays and summers together and nothing can take those away. They will always be with me and I thank her for them.
To my Aunt Rita…Until we meet again, stay safe in heaven’s hands…give my mom (Theresa) my love and tell her I miss her everyday. Watch over us together, you were always a good team!
Nancy (Deschene) Hansen, Garden Prairie, Illinois, 61038
We first met Rita in the 1990’s in a Compassionate Friends group. I believe this would have been after Larry’s death. The group is for the loss of any child regardless of age or type of death. We also learned of the daughter they lost in infancy. I think we all grew some in the group, knowing we were not alone in what we were feeling. Somehow we learned to accept what we could not change, and to remember the good things about our children. She was a strong lady. I just want to express our sympathy to the family.
Carolyn A Wottowa, O’Fallon, IL, 62269
We are so sorry for your loss. Aunt Rita was loved very much by all of the Deschene clan. Love to all of the Stringers, etc. Take Care
Janice, Portland, or, 97214
I worked with Rita at Ralston Purina in Belleville. I was in college and had lost my mother a few years before and Rita, along with a few other women there, called themselves my Ralston Purina Mothers. That was Rita – always looking to help others. The last time I saw her was not long after her husband passed away. We met for lunch at the Pie Pantry in Belleville, but I’m sorry to say I lost touch with her after that. She was a dear person. Please accept my deepest sympathy.
Janey McKillip, Belleville, IL, 62221
We are so sorry for your loss. Aunt Rita was a very special person, and we were all so close to her. She lived with the Deschenes in Champaign when most of us were small, and she was like a second mother to us… an especially fun one …always loving and happy, full of smiles and jokes, and special treats! I remember when she was learning to drive a stick shift, and would take us out for bouncy car rides, like a bunking bronco. I also remember when she met Uncle Gene. She used to get dressed up and go out at night. She would do things like paint her fingernails red, and sometimes would paint our nails too, making us feel very grown up. Patti and I were flower girls at their wedding, a special honor for us. As we got older we visited during the summer, and saw the sights of St.Louis, again something that was so special to us. She was a generous and giving person, and really knew how to relate to children. We will miss her.
Mary Deschene, Union City, CA, 94587