Rita A. Anderson

Rita A. Anderson, 81, of Rockford, IL passed away on January 4, 2022, in Milwaukee, WI. She was born on July 16, 1940, in Cedar Rapids, IA to Lumir and Ann (Prokop) Havlik. Rita graduated high school and went on to complete her Bachelor’s Degree in Education at Mt. Mercy College and the University of Iowa. She taught Honors at All Saints in Cedar Rapids and English at Auburn High School in Rockford, IL. Rita married Russell Anderson in Rockford on July 6, 1968, and together they raised 5 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 is 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, January 14, 2022, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel. 1860 S. Mulford Rd. Rockford, IL 61108, with Rosary at 12:00 p.m. Mass will be on Saturday, January 15, 2022, at 11:00 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.