Rita Marie Auth

Rita Marie Auth (nee Grimmig), 87, of Freeburg, IL, went to her heavenly home on Thursday, July 6th, 2023. She was born to Andrew and Thelma (nee Miller) Grimmig on August 2nd, 1935 in Caseyville, IL.

Rita’s husband, Norbert, was the proprietor of Auth Turkey Farm for over thirty years, which was at one time the largest livestock supplier in southern Illinois. She was Norbert’s right hand, in business and in life. They married on August 27th, 1955 at the Cathedral of St. Peter, Belleville, IL, and together they had three children. Rita was of woman of deep faith; she was a member of St. Henry’s Mothers Club and the St. Ann Altar Society. She would also bake cakes for various churches and sew vestments and christening gowns for St. Henry’s. When Rita wasn’t busy helping run the family business, caring for her children, or assisting the church, she would also drive the blind to their appointments. She was also a Girl Scout Leader and Cookie Chairman. Rita could drive anything, from a 70 cc Honda motorcycle to a 2 ½ ton truck, which she drove up until her 60th birthday. Rita loved to laugh and didn’t know a stranger. She was an incredibly loving, virtuous, and hardworking woman who will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her loving husband of 60 years, Norbert R. Auth; siblings, Andrew, James, William, Donald, Jo Ann, and Joan Carol Grimmig, Theresa Evans, and Anthony Grimmig, Sr.; and son-in-law, James Kitchens, Jr.

She is survived by her daughters, Diane Auth and Cynthia Kitchens; son, Kraig (Lauren) Auth; sisters, Elizabeth (Dr. Juan) Cancelada and Peggy Ducheny; plus many dear nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Rita’s name may be made to Research to Prevent Blindness.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.valhallagardensandfuneralhome.com

Visitation: Friends may call on 4:00 – 8:00 PM, with a rosary at 5:30 PM, on Wednesday, July 12th, 2023 at Valhalla Gaerdner Holten Funeral Home, 3412 Frank Scott Pkwy West, Belleville, IL 62223.

Funeral: A Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, July 13th, 2023 at 10:30 AM at St. Henry Catholic Church, 5315 W Main St, Belleville, IL 62226, with an additional hour of visitation at the church beginning at 9:30 AM.

Entombment will follow in Valhalla Gardens of Memory, Belleville, IL.