Rita Staebel

KELSO, Mo. -- Rita Ida Staebel, 95, of Kelso died Thursday, Sept. 29, 2016, at Chateau Girardeau in Cape Girardeau.

She was born Sept. 8, 1921, to Theon C. and Ida Menz Grojean at home in New Hamburg, Missouri. She married the love or her life and her dance partner, Clarence Anton Staebel, on Aug. 8, 1944, at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in New Hamburg. He preceded her in death April 29, 2005.

Clarence and Rita lived and raised their family in Kelso. Rita worked at Ely Walker factory in Scott City as a floor lady until the factory closed and then later worked at Florsheim Shoe Co. and as an alteration lady at a cleaner and out of her home. Rita was a member of St. Augustine Catholic Church in Kelso and St. Ann's Ladies Sodality.

She is survived by four children, Kathleen (Gary) West of Springfield, Missouri, Ray (Diane) Staebel of Georgetown, Texas, Mary (Jim) Gosche of Cape Girardeau and Judy (Dana) Flournoy of San Leon, Texas; seven grandchildren, John (Sarah) Staebel of The Woodlands, Texas, Dr. Craig Staebel of Georgetown, Beth (Ricardo) Buitron of Dallas, James (Beth) Gosche Jr. of St. Charles, Missouri, Amanda (Brad) Hermann of Manchester, Missouri, Andy (Trisha) West of Nixa, Missouri, and Susan (James) Fees of New York; two sisters-in-law, Agnes (Fred) Bendel of Cape Girardeau and Erma (Charles) Grojean of Cape Girardeau; 11 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

She also was preceded in death by her Grojean siblings, Rose Heisserer, Bertha Schwartz, Marie Clinton, Corona "Topsy" Brucker Kelpe, Caroline Grojean, Sybilla Creasup, Charles Grojean Sr., Theon Grojean Jr. and Francis Grojean.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Kelso. Parish prayers will be at 7 p.m.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the church, with the Rev. Joseph Weidenbenner as celebrant. Burial will be in St. Augustine Catholic Cemetery in Kelso.

Online condolences may be shared at www.amick-burnettfuneralchapels.com.