RITA A. ANDERSON Rockford, Ill. Rita A. Anderson, 81, of Rockford, Ill., passed away on Jan. 4, 2022, in Milwaukee, Wis. She was born on July 16, 1940, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Lumir and Ann (Prokop) Havlik. Rita graduated high school and went on to complete her bachelor’s degree in Education at Mount Mercy College and the University of Iowa. She taught Honors at All Saints in Cedar Rapids and English at Auburn High School in Rockford, Ill. Rita married Russell Anderson in Rockford on July 6, 1968, and together they raised five children. She was a longtime member of Holy Family Catholic Church. Rita was very involved in The Special Olympics for many years. She enjoyed sewing, cooking and baking. Rita decorated the most beautiful cakes and sewed many creative Halloween costumes. She was loved by everyone for her humor and loving nature. Rita will be missed by all that knew and loved her. Rita is survived by her children Russell (Julie) Anderson, Kristin Anderson and Katherine (Mark) Taber; her grandchildren, Christopher, Courtney, Maeve, Leon, Silvia, Miles and Ruby; her great-grandchildren, Jackson, Lauren, Brynn and Weston; her brother, David Havlik; and brother-in-law, Carl Anderson. She was preceded in death by her husband of 44 years, Russell; her parents, Lumir and Ann Havlik; her daughters, Mary Anderson and Anne Webb; and her son-in-law, Terry Webb. The family would like to extend a special Thank-You to Holistic Hospice and everyone at The Bay at St. Ann’s in Milwaukee for all of their compassion and care. Visitation for Rita with be on Friday, Jan. 14, 2022, from 11 a.m. to noon at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel. 1860 S. Mulford Rd. Rockford, IL 61108, with Rosary at noon. Mass will be on Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022, at 11 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church, 4401 Highcrest Rd., Rockford, IL 61107. Entombment to follow at Calvary Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in Rita’s name to The Special Olympics, https://support.specialolympics.org.
Published by The Gazette on Jan. 8, 2022.
