Obit: Kassie, Rita #2 (1924? - 2012)

Contact: Robert Lipprandt
Email: bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Beaman, Blondheim, Daves, Duranceau, Erikson, Goessl, Hackel, Kassie, Krstic, Magister, Martinez, Meyer, Morrison, Nikolic, Rinehart, Severson

----Source: The Abbotsford Tribune - Phonograph (Abbotsford, WI) 08/15/2012

Kassie, Rita (1924? - 9 AUG 2012)

Rita Kassie, age 88, of Colby, was welcomed into the arms of the Lord after a long battle with Alzheimer’s on Thursday, August 9, 2012, at The Homeplace of Dorchester.

She was the most cherished wife and soulmate of John Kassie, beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and friend of all who knew her. Rita died as she lived--quietly and with grace. She was willingly transplanted, at age 29, from city life in Chicago to the good life of a country farm wife in Colby. Her family was her priority, but she seamlessly managed to juggle family with career at Packaging Corporation of America, hobbies (sewing and gardening were favorites), her friends and her devotion to her faith. She was the epitome of kindness and patience and a strong women who led by example.

Rita is lovingly survived by her husband of 67 years, John Kassie; her children, Barbara (Edward) Magister of Franklin, Carole (John) Morrison of Grenada, MS, Thomas (Jeanette Erikson) Kassie of Colby, and Michael (Debbe) Kassie of Colby. She is further survived by her grandchildren, Charise (Mick) Krstic, Lisa (Goran) Nikolic, Laura (Chris) Daves, Tina Morrison, John (Lindsay Beaman) Kassie, and Kerry (Dave) Blondheim; and her great grandchildren: Kassie and Nina Nikolic, Erika and Kanaan Krstic, Foley and Bailey Daves, and Ansel Blondheim.

Rita is preceded in death by her great grandson, Tucker Daves, two brothers, and three sisters.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held Saturday, August 11, 2012, at 11:00 AM at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Colby. Father Daniel Hackel officiated. A visitation was held from 9 AM until the time of service at the church in Colby. Burial followed the service at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Colby.

The Kassie family is grateful for the loving care Rita received from many special people, including Louanne Meyer; Ronda Goessl; Nikki Duranceau; Jeanine Rinehart; Joan Severson and the other Willow Ridge Adult Day Care staff; the caregivers at The Home Place in Dorchester; and Sylvania Martinez of McAllen, TX.

The Maurina Schilling Funeral Home is assisting the Kassie family with arrangements.

Note: Birth information was not published with obituary.