Rita Fornkohl

Rita A. Fornkohl, 91, of Jackson passed away Thursday, May 17, 2012, at Jackson Manor, surrounded by her family.

She was born May 26, 1920, in Ancell, daughter of Ivan D. and Clara E. Diebold Brant. She and Arthur C. Fornkohl were married Nov. 20, 1938, in Poplar Bluff, Mo. He passed away Sept. 12, 1992.

For most of her adult life, Rita was threading the eye of a needle. It started with the sewing machines at International Shoe Co. in downtown Cape Girardeau, continuing on embroidered pillow cases and quilts she completed for family and friends.

While raising her family on the 120-acre farm, she enjoyed playing cards and cooking, including making her famous blackberry cobbler from blackberries picked fresh from her garden. Her hobbies included traveling the United States, visiting all but three states, dancing and volunteering. Rita gave 12 years of service to Saint Francis Medical Center, as well as volunteering time and talent to the church and nursing homes. She was a spiritual woman and a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Jackson.

Loving survivors include four daughters, Patricia Ann (Bill) Wallace, Elizabeth "Betty" Glueck Waller, Glenda Kay (Arlin) Miller and LaDonna McNulty, all of Jackson; a half brother, Norman Brant of Scott City; a half sister, Karry Brant of Cape Girardeau; 13 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren, with two more on the way; and three great-great-grandchildren. Her greatest love was being with the family.

In addition to her loving husband, she was preceded in death by parents; four brothers, Victor Brant, James Brant, Glennon Brant, Gerald Brant; and a sister, Mary Ann Racher.

Friends may callfrom 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Immaculate Conception Church, with the Rev. John Harth officiating. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery in Cape Girardeau.

Memorial donations may be made to Southeast Hospice.

Sympathy messages may be sent to the family online at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.