Rita M. Kirby, 89, died Thursday, June 9th, 2016 in her Caseville home with her family by her side. Rita was born September 23, 1926, in Muskegon, MI, daughter of Isadore and Louise Homrich. She graduated from Royal Oak High School in Royal Oak, MI in 1944. Rita was a loving woman, a very devout Christian, a homemaker, artist, quilter, excellent cook, and a North Huron Head Start aide.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Albert S. Kirby. Rita was a devoted mother and is survived by her children, Karen (Rick) List, Shelly (Pat) Nicholl, Marcia (Duane) Dhyse, Ken (Clarita) Kirby, Mike (Karen) Kirby, and Mary (Randy) Dhyse.
Rita was a wonderful grandmother to Kate (Ryan) Conzelmann, Tom (Amy) Johnson, Kellie (Dod) Oliver, Diane (Travis) Haney, Emily Dunn, Elizabeth Greene, Shannon Lewandowski, Nicole Lewandowski, Jena (Matt) Zimmerman, Jim (Kristy) Dhyse, Alison (Justin) Graves, Rebecca Kirby, Edmond Kirby, Norah Kirby, Kevin (Tonya) Kirby, Steve (Amy) Kirby, Nick (Lacey) Dhyse, Jake (Staci) Dhyse, and Russell (Linsey) Dhyse. She was a proud great grandmother to Thomas, Clare, and Lucy Conzelmann, Olivia and Henrik Johnson, Gavin and Keira Oliver, Luke, Isabel, Sophie, and Ellie Haney, McKalyn and Emerson Dunn, Aria and Bria Greene, Gwyn and Reid Zimmerman, Sophia Graves, Harper and Henry Kirby, Elsie and Emmett Dhyse, and Conrad Dhyse. WHEW!
Rita is survived by her brother Tom, sisters-in-law Mary, Carol, and Lil. Rita was also preceded in death by her two brothers Del and Ray, two sisters-in-law Joan and Kay, and two brothers-in-law, Duke and Jack. She also leaves behind a very special friend and neighbor, Betty.
A gathering will be Friday, June 17th from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. at the MacAlpine Mac Chapel in Bad Axe, MI. Funeral services will be held Saturday June 18th at Cross Lutheran Church in Pigeon, MI. There will be a gathering from 10 a.m. until time of service at 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Compassus Hospice, Cass City, MI or Cross Lutheran Church, Pigeon, MI.
Condolences can be shared at www.macalpinefuneralhome.com