Rita passed away quietly on Monday morning, August 13, 2018, after saying goodbye to her family members over the weekend. She died from complications of Parkinson’s Disease. Rita was born in Baton Rouge on September 21, 1933, she would have turned 85 next month. She was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Lester Strate, her father, George B. Kleinpeter, her baby sister, Elizabeth Ruff, her stepfather William H. Ruff,III, her mother, Nela Ruff, and her son-in-law, Leslie Glass. She graduated from St. Joseph’s Academy in 1951 where she made many dear friends. She met the love of her life, Lester, on a blind date set up by her cousins. They married four years later and went on to have five children. Rita dedicated her life to raising her family. She loved dancing, fishing, cooking, LSU and Saints sports, trips to the beach, and her weekly trip to the casino with her best friend, Rita Doran. She loved spending time with all of her grandchildren because they brought her so much joy. She is survived by five children and spouses, Bonnie Glass, Nela Drouin (Ralph), Cathy Lieux (Paul), Rita Roberts (Steve), Les Strate; 10 grandchildren and spouses, April Sears (Dave), Scott Grayson (fiance Andrea Rico), Melissa Funk (Jeff), Jason Drouin, Landon Lieux (Sarah), Austin Lieux (Brittany), Lauren Roberts (fiance Ciaran Conlon), Philip Roberts (Hailey), James Roberts, Jeremy Roberts; 8 great-grandchildren, Daniel and Haley Sears, Caiden, Noah, and Parker Funk, Seth Drouin, Skylar and Logan Lieux. Visitation will take place at Saint Thomas More Catholic Church, 11441 Goodwood Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70815 on Thursday, August 16, 2018 from 11:00-1:00 followed by a Mass of Christian Burial by Father Michael Alello. Interment at Greenoaks Memorial Park, 9595 Florida Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70815, reception to follow. Pallbearers will be her grandsons. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Saint Thomas More Catholic Church or Parkinson's Foundation. Special thanks to the staff at Fidelis Care Group, especially Missy.
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