Rita A. Van Gemert

Rita A. (Siudzinski) Van Gemert passed away peacefully, on April 24th, 2024 at Angels Touch Assisted Living in De Pere, WI. The only daughter of Frances and Felix Siudzinski, she brought joy since the day she was born at St. Vincent Hospital on October 10th, 1924, as her dad walked home forgetting his bike at the hospital. She graduated from East Green Bay High School class of ‘42, still remembering her locker number. There, she enjoyed baseball and was quite good at bowling and ice skating. Music was her real love and true gift as she played the piano and sang in the HS chorus as well as with her brothers in a band at various locations in the Green Bay area. Always a strong Polish work ethic, her first job in High School was working the switchboard at the former Beaumont Hotel. Rita loved all things fashionable as she worked her way up to the Administrative secretary to Mr. J Atkinson, GM of H.C.Prange, Green Bay. In January she met Jim Van Gemert at the Elks Club. Their first date was set for her birthday, 10 months later. They were married June 18th, 1949 at St Mary’s of the Angels Church, Green Bay, in front of her cousin, Fr. Edward Bujarski. Jim and Rita were blessed with 5 children and 66 happy years of marriage. Rita loved all things beautiful and had a gift of home decorating. She enjoyed art classes, antiquing, playing her organ and grand piano, reading and perennial flower gardening. With her dear friends in Door County, especially the other “Rita”, she loved estate sale shopping when not finding new art galleries or gardens to explore. Her Bluff house was her pride and joy and many happy hours with friends and family were spent there, especially being Nana.

She leaves behind her children: Thomas, Robert, Karen (Patrick Riordan), David and Kathleen Van Gemert. 7 Grandchildren: Mark (Danielle) Van Gemert, Philip (Levina), Nicholas (Maria Quiroz), Andrew and Alexander Ribeiro, Anne and James Cameron and 5 step-grandchildren and their spouses. Four great-grandchildren: Ethan and Elise Van Gemert, Sophia and Amalia Ribeiro and 8 step great-grandsons. Sister-in-law Rose Siudzinski. She is further survived by many nieces and nephews whom she enjoyed spending time with.

Rita was preceded in death by her husband, James Van Gemert, her two brothers: Alvin (Alfreida) and Richard Siudzinski, daughter-in-law: Marilyn Jensen Van Gemert, and many Van Gemert in-laws.

Visitation at St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 220 S. Michigan St. De Pere, WI. 54115 from 9:00AM to 10:45AM, Saturday, May 4. Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11am. To send condolences, go to www.cotterfuneralhome.com.

The family would like to thank the caregivers over the years at both Bellevue Retirement Center and Angels Touch for the loving attention given to Rita in her times of need. A memorial fund has been established in Rita's name. Check Donations can be made to WI Talking Books & Braille Library, 813 Wells St. Milwaukee, WI 53233 OR the American Diabetes Association, www.diabetes.org