Rita M. Dinges, age 71 of Kenosha passed from this life peacefully on Thursday, November 13, 2014 at Brookside Care Center.
Born on March 6, 1943 in Kenosha, she was the daughter of the late Alex and Christina (Ferraro) Tarsitano.
Rita was educated in the schools of Kenosha and was a graduate of Mary D. Bradford High School.
She was employed as the Head Cashier at the Kohl’s Food Store, mostly at the Pershing Blvd. location for thirty two years, retiring in 2001. Following her Kohl’s career, Rita worked as a part time receptionist at The Hair Co.
Rita was a member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church. She always enjoyed the weekly Packer game parties, excelled at cooking and baking her Italian specialties, and traveling with her family and friends. Rita’s most precious moments were those she shared with her children and grandchildren.
She is survived by her three daughters, Debbie (Douglas) Martin, Denise (Greg) Jalensky, and Dena (Kurt) Kramer; seven grandchildren, Katie (Kevin) Fisher, Tommi (Josh Griffin) Reidenbach, Nick Jalensky, Karlie Barnes, Zach Kramer, Ben Jalensky, and Devon Kramer; three step grandchildren, Chelsea, Katie, and Daniel Martin; her step-granddaughter, Arielle; and her five faithful grand dogs.
Rita is further survived by her two sisters, Amelia (Bill) Michel and Josephine Pavlovich, and her brother, Alex (Kathy) Tarsitano. Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother Ralph Tarsitano, and her son in law Gary Barnes.
David Schneider
So sad to see the passing of Rita. I also remember Rita at Lincolin Jr., and Bradford High. May our memories of Rita as that wonderful and beautiful person she was, sustain us, until the time we see our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Roberta Weber
Wow! I was so sad to hear that Rita had passed away. The memories I have of her friendship go way back to Lincoln Jr. High when we first met. What a fun group we all were...We had such great times together! Rita had the most beautiful smile ...and most importantly such a kind, good heart!
Bernard Covelli
Rita had a beautiful funeral and prayer service last evening and mass today. She would be so happy to have seen her precious family and friends honoring her life and all the wonderful memories that each shared with each other. Piasecki-Althaus Funeral Home did a respectful display of Rita's life and memories through the pictures of family and friends. To be in the room was like having Rita there sharing those memories.
Today we celebrated her burial mass at her catholic church, Our Lady of Mt Carmel. Her grandson Nick, and a great nephew, sang and did some readings at the mass....which i am sure Rita would have been delighted. After mass we all, about 80, or so family and friends gathered at the Italian American Club for a delicious luncheon....certainly in the tradition of what Rita would have wanted....Rita was raised in the old fashion style of Italian love and respect for family and friends...her warm smile and loyalty personality of family and friendhip, and love shinned down upon us all today.....RIP friend for ever until we meet again.
A closing note to you Rita, Debbir, Denise, and Dena are all heartbroken and did you proud! You raised three wonderful women who like youself, are strong, passionate, and independent as well as loving to those you left behind.....be proud again your life was meaningful.
Georgia Gauss (Lindow)
Was so sad to read the paper and see that beautiful smile she always had, such a caring person and so much fun in Jr High, we really had the best times, and so many friends she had, she will be so missed, Sympathies to her family.
Suzette Arnoldini (Englund)
A beautiful person, a beautiful life, and a huge hole in the hearts of everyone who knew and loved Rita. Like others who have written, I too remember Rita from Lincoln Junior High and Bradford High School. She was always just so nice. Such expressive eyes and sincere smile, and she honestly cared about others. We were in the same "beauty school" class post high school and while not many of our class followed that career path once we graduated, Rita gave me probably my best hair cut ever. Over the past many years Rita has worked on all of our class reunions. She was faithful to show up for meetings and willing to do whatever she could to make our reunions successful. Our occasional "get togethers" throughout the years were always made more fun when Rita was there. She was a great listener and her nonjudgemental attitude and ways, made you just sort of gravitate to her. She loved to share her family with her friends, and we all came to appreciate them, each one. As Bernie mentioned in his comments, Rita's children have honored her. Such a precious mother they had, and how they loved her. Rita will be missed, she will be revered, and never forgotten. (Put a good word in for me in heaven Rita.)
Cherie Krohn (Ketchum)
It is so good to see all the comments pouring in for Rita!!! This is a wonderful site - thanks to Sandy!! And thank you Bernie for telling all of us about the services, etc that were held for Rita. I can just imagine everybody and everything that was going on in those old Italian traditions. I know Bill Althaus very well and i know they would have done a great job taking care of the services. It is still so sad to think Rita will not be at the next reunion. But i know she would be happy to know how many friends she had.
Patricia Malko (Aiello)
I am so sad, I lost my best friend since our childhood . Rita and I grew up together and we had the best time of our lives. We were so blessed to have the kind of relationship people wish for. Rita was my best friend.
When we went to junior high I didn't think it could get any better , but it did. We met so many people that turned out to be life long friends. How lucky are we, Jean, Sue, Eva, Marilyn, Sue H. Jimmy, Jack, Bernie, Tom, Roberta, Kirsten, Mary. . I hope I didn't forget anyone if I did you know who you are and I am sorry. What good times we had, so many laughs so many stories to tell. It doesn't get any better.
Rita was a big part of our lives, I will miss her deeply.
Susan Bagdonas (Martin)
What startling and sad news! When Rita snatched Tom Dinges out from under my nose a few weeks before our planned SubDeb date, I was devastated. But, it didn't take long for me to realize that it was Rita who was the "prize". As soon as I met her, there was no way that I could hold a grudge! What a special lady who grew more beautiful (in every way) over the years. I'm not aware the circumstance but do hope that she didn't have to suffer. Rest in peace my long and dear friend. Susan
Sandra Graf (Paulick)
So sad to start a New Year without my friend of 64 years . Rita was truely a wonderful person with such a beautiful smile .
They say many people are in our lives but no one knows us quite as well or shares our deepest secrets like a life-long friend.
Love and Miss ya Reet
Til we meet again
Nancy Walton (Julien)
Sandi, you and Rita were so Blessed to have each other to share your deepest secrets. There is Friendship and then there is Real Friendship when each person Shares without filtering, like you said, their Deepest Secrets - That is True Friendship, and very Rare - Again, I am so sorry for your loss and hope you are comforted by all of the Wonderful Memories you shared - Love, Nancy