Rita Van Amber, 92

Rita Van Amber, 92, Menomonie, Wisconsin, went peacefully home to be with the Lord on Friday, April 27, 2012, after a short stay at Dunn County Health Center.

Rita was born November 12, 1919 in Otter Tail County, Minnesota to Anton and Helen (Joos) Cichy.

Rita married George Van Amber in 1939 and had four children. She and her family lived in Benson and Montevideo before moving to Menomonie, where George operated the M & L Auto Parts business. Rita worked at Lee’s Drug Store while attending Stout University until she and George developed the Ideal Junque Shoppe and Trailer Court. Rita and her daughter, Janet, later wrote the series of Great Depression Historical Cookbooks and operated Van Amber Publishing Company along with Janet’s husband, Rich.

Rita was an active member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and member of the Parish Council of Catholic Women, a 45-year member of Home and Community Education, treasurer of Ideal Homemakers, member of the Hearing Loss Association, and member of the Red Cedar Medical Center Hospital Auxiliary.

Rita is survived by her children, Dr. Judith Marie (Larry) Collins, Norma Joyce (Pat) Stanley, Janet Kay (Rich) Paske, George Van Amber III; special friend, Frank Rivas; grandchildren, Dr. Michael (Dawn) Collins, Patrick Collins, John Collins, Shawn (Jeanette) Stanley, Patrick (Robin) Stanley, Kelly Amber (Jeff) Lapic, Ryan (Denise) Stanley, Samuel (Julie) Paske, Jeffrey (Mary) Paske; granddaughter-in-law, Micki (Dave) Lutz; great-grandchildren, Sam and Jessica Collins; Daniel, Meghan and Erin Collins; Devon, Carmen, Zoe and Axel Stanley; Elizabeth, Matthias and Catherine Paske; Hunter and Adam Paske; Mickenzie, Jordan, Josie and Colin Lutz; two sisters-in-law, Marlene Cichy, Marilyn Langor; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, George; her parents; grandparents, Paul and Margaret Cichy, and Fredrick and Mary Klein Joos; grandson, John Paske; brothers, Paul, Omar, Wilfred and Eugene Cichy; sister, Dolores Stensrud; and nephew, Darrel Van Amber.

Memorial services will be held Friday, May 4 at 11:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Menomonie with the Rev. Thomas Krieg officiating.

Burial will be at a later date in Alexandria, MN.

Friends may call one hour prior to services at the church on Friday.

The family requests no flowers and prefers memorials to St. Joseph’s Council of Catholic Women, Menomonie, WI.

Online condolences may be made at www.rhielfuneralhome.com

Rhiel Funeral Home and Cremation Services-Menomonie is serving the family.

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