Rita M. Bukovic

Rita M. Bukovic, 86, of Springfield, departed this life at 10:15 a.m. on Sunday, January 24, 2010 at St. Johns Mercy Hospital in St. Louis, surrounded by her family. Rita was born May 21, 1923 in Random Lake, WI, the daughter of Henry and Stella Liebenstein Grotelueschen. She married Albert John Bukovic on October 18, 1952 in Sheboygan, WI. He preceded her in death on April 8, 2006. Rita graduated from Random Lake High School in 1941 and was the Salutatorian of her class. She attended the University of Wisconsin and worked for Security National Bank in Sheboygan, WI. She later went to work for Prudential Life Insurance. She was a member of St. Theresa Guild at the Church of the Little Flower in Springfield, Catholic Daughters of America and the YMCA. She loved to travel, was an avid reader, loved doing crossword puzzles, and enjoyed spending time exercising at the YMCA with a group of special friends, whom she loved dearly. Rita was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Oliver Grotelueschen. She is survived by her four sons, John Bukovic of Springfield, Robert (wife, Janet) Bukovic of Orlando, FL, Michael (wife, Lynne) Bukovic of Eureka, MO and Paul (wife, Nancy) Bukovic of St. Louis, MO; one daughter, Mary Jo Bukovic of Aurora, CO; three grandchildren, Steve Bukovic of St. Charles, MO and Robby and Kelly Bukovic of Orlando, FL; two sisters, Edith (husband, Bud) Meyer of Wild Rose, WI and Marion Grotelueschen of Wauwatosa, WI; sister-in-law, Jean Grotelueschen of Logansport, IN; several nieces, nephews and cousins; and friends and neighbors in the Little Flower Parish, who were very important to her. The family will receive friends from 4:00 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 27, 2010 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 28, 2010 at Church of the Little Flower, 800 Stevenson Dr., Springfield, with Rev. Msgr. John R. Ossola, celebrant. A committal ceremony will be held on Saturday, January 30, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at the Greendale Cemetery Chapel in Sheboygan, WI. Burial will follow at the Greendale Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to St. John's Hospital Hospice Program, 800 E. Carpenter, Springfield, IL 62702 or American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, Midwest Affiliate, 2008 S LaSalle Street, Chicago, IL 60604-1242.