Rita Marie Kelley

Rita Marie Kelley (nee Wittenauer), 89, of Waterloo, died Sept. 16, 2016, in Red Bud.

She was born Dec. 19, 1926,  near Hecker, daughter of the late Walter F. and Frances A. Wittenauer (nee Kreher).
She married William R. Kelley on June 19, 1946, at St. Augustine Catholic Church, Hecker. He entered eternal rest on Aug. 4, 1990.

Mrs. Kelley was most recently a member of Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, having also attended St. Augustine’s and St. Patrick’s parishes. She was also a member of Mary & Martha Society, was an RSVP volunteer, and was a MADD supporter.

She was a homemaker, and retired in 1997 as an LPN from Monroe County Care & Rehab Center. She was an avid quilter, giving them to church and family.

She is survived by her sons Ronald (Mary) Kelley, and Donald (Brenda) Kelley; daughters Mary Lou (Don) Polacek, Alice (Dennis) Murray, and Evelyn (Mark) Marquardt; 13 grandchildren, Jean Kelley, Cindy (Jim) Notter, Cathy (Don) Dehne, Jennifer (Brandon) Lovell, Dennis (Kristen) Murray Jr., Denise Huebner, Kelli (John) Niebruegge, Michael (Kristen) Kelley, Tony (Olivia) Murray, Amanda (Travis) Ervin, Julia (Greg) Newell, David (Anne) Marquardt, and Bridget (Scott) Woodsmall; 28 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; brothers Clem Wittenauer, and Walter E. (Millie) Wittenauer; sisters Frances (Butch) Meyer, and Rose Mary (Everrette) Livingston; godchildren Delbert W. Wittenauer, Richard Kelley, Steven Dougherty, Rita Huch, Karl Kelley, Janet Tessler and James Meisenbach; nephews; nieces; great-nephews; great-nieces; sister-in-law Helen Meisenbach; brother-in-law Edward “Bob” Kelley; and cousins.

She is also preceded in death by her brother Delbert Wittenauer; sister Mary Anne Wittenauer; an infant sister; grandson Jason C. Kelley; godson David Harmon; and nephews Gene Kelley, Paul Kelley and Robert Kelley.

In keeping with her wishes, Rita’s body was donated to Saint Louis University School of Medicine.

A memorial mass will be Sept. 24, at 10 a.m., at St. Augustine Catholic Church, Hecker, Father Von Deeke officiating.

A Celebration of Life and luncheon will follow at St. Patrick’s Church Hall, Tipton.

As an expression of sympathy the family prefers memorial contributions to Red Bud Regional Care and Rehabilitation Center Activity Fund.