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Rita Starzl
Date of Death
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Le Mars, Iowa
Rita G. Starzl, 94, died Tuesday, March 20, 2012, at the Good Samaritan Society in Le Mars where she had made her home for nearly four years.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 24, 2012, at St. James Catholic Church in Le Mars, with Reverend Matt Hewitt presiding. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Le Mars. Visitations will be anytime after 3:00 p.m. on Friday at the Carlsen-Feuerstein Funeral Home in Le Mars, where there will be a Parish rosary at 4:00 p.m. and a Vigil...
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Rita Starzl
Date of Death
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Le Mars, Iowa
Rita G. Starzl, 94, died Tuesday, March 20, 2012, at the Good Samaritan Society in Le Mars where she had made her home for nearly four years.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 24, 2012, at St. James Catholic Church in Le Mars, with Reverend Matt Hewitt presiding. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Le Mars. Visitations will be anytime after 3:00 p.m. on Friday at the Carlsen-Feuerstein Funeral Home in Le Mars, where there will be a Parish rosary at 4:00 p.m. and a Vigil Wake Service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will resume on Saturday morning at the church for one hour prior to the Mass. Expressions of sympathy can be extended to the family through www.carlsenfuneralhome.com.
Pallbearers will be Jon Goodin, David Ruden, Pat Kenaley, Bridget Schumacher, Tom Murray and Barb Utesch Honorary pallbearers will be Alice Murray, Bette Kennaley, Bonnie Ruden, Bob Kenaley, Don Kenaley and Rita's nieces and nephews.
Rita Gertrude Kenaley was born August 14, 1917, at Ticonic, IA, the fourth daughter of Joseph Leo and Josephine (Sullivan) Kenaley. When Rita was a child, she moved with her family to Oto, Mapleton and Le Mars, attending country schools. She graduated near the top of her class from Union Consolidated School in rural Plymouth County in 1935.
She lived at home for several years to help with farm work and her five younger siblings. She married Rome Starzl on July 28, 1948, at St. James Catholic Church in Le Mars. Rita joined Rome in operating his family business, the Le Mars Globe Post newspaper where she worked in nearly every capacity from news to circulation to front office duties for the next seven years.
Rita and Rome became parents of a daughter, Kathleen, in 1955 but Rita continued to work at the newspaper as well as manage their home. When Rome suffered a debilitating stroke in 1962 and was bedridden, Rita continued to run the newspaper with the help of other staff members. She communicated regularly from the office with Rome using a two-way intercom system; Rita would ask him business questions that could be answered with a yes or no, and he would respond by clicking on the intercom, once for yes and twice for no. Since Rome could no longer speak Rita designed an alphabet board which he used to point out letters to spell words and communicate.
The Globe Post was destroyed in an overnight electrical fire on St. Patrick's Day 1964. The business was sold several months later to the Le Mars Daily Sentinel and several Globe Post employees, including Rita, went to work for the Sentinel. Rita began her work in the Sentinel newsroom in late 1964 and worked in the office as the society editor and doing general news for more than 30 years. After retiring she installed a computer at home and continued to do social news there and take it to the Sentinel office on computer disks. She enjoyed being a part of the newspaper business from its days of molten lead and linotypes well into the computer age of cold print technology.
During the last half of her career Rita became the unofficial historian of the newspaper office and could answer nearly any questions about the Le Mars families she had known through several generations.
She was a member of St James Catholic Church in Le Mars for over 80 years.
Survivors include daughter, Kathy, and her husband, Jeff, of Le Mars; her granddaughter and the light of her life, Emily, and her husband, Jon Goodin, of Edmond, Okla.; three sisters, Alice Murray of Iowa City, IA, Bette Kennaley of Sioux City, and
Bonnie Ruden of Le Mars; two brothers, Don Kenaley and his wife, Helen, of Iowa City, and Bob Kenaley and his wife, Ruth, of Le Mars; a stepdaughter, Margaret Kuyper of Boise, ID, and a stepson, Dr. Thomas Starzl of Pittsburgh, PA; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Rome, in 1976; sisters Louise Kidd and Rose Krogh, a brother Gerald; a stepdaughter, Nancy Seaton, and a stepson, John Starzl. ©.
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Condolences
Julie Beitelspacher visited this web page on Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Kathy and Jeff, & Emily and John - I am so sorry to hear about Rita. No matter their age or our age, it is still hard to let a mom and grandma go. She was one very cool lady who will always hold a special place in my heart! Take care and may God grant you comfort in the days ahead. Hugs and prayers to all of you! Julie B.
Good Samaritan Society - Le Mars visited this web page on Wednesday, March 21, 2012
It was a pleasure caring for Rita. She will be greatly missed by the residents and staff of Good Samaritan Society - Le Mars. We will be keeping your family in our thoughts and prayers. The residents and staff of Good Samaritan Society - Le Mars
Karl and Joanie Schnepf visited this web page on Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Jeff, Kathy and family; our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time.
Cheryl Fischer visited this web page on Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Kathy and Jeff, I was saddened to hear of Rita's passing. Find comfort in the happy memories you have of her.
Dianne Downing-Nelson visited this web page on Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Kathy and family. So saddened to hear of Rita's passing. She was my mentor at my first job at the Sentinel. She was a great lady and I will always thank her for encouraging me.
Mark Semke visited this web page on Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Kathy...Sorry to read about the passing of your Mother. Please know that you are in my thoughts... Mark
Merlyn and Jan Klein visited this web page on Wednesday, March 21, 2012
To Jeff, Kathy, Emily and John and all extended family. Our prayers are with you at this time of your beloved Rita's death. May God grant you peace at this time of loss. Love Merlyn and Jan Klein
Sue Morris visited this web page on Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Condolences to Kathy and family, Rita had such a wonderful understanding of people and local history. She was very kind and interested in others, serving as an effective mentor for generations. She will be missed by many.
LINDA HEMMELRICK visited this web page on Wednesday, March 21, 2012
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Wayne/Marleen Schipper visited this web page on Thursday, March 22, 2012
Kathy and family, Our deepest sympathy to you......many fond memories of your mother back in the old Sentinel days........she was truly a remarkable woman......God's blessing to all of you.
Karen Baker visited this web page on Thursday, March 22, 2012
Dear Kathy, Jeff, Emily and John, I'm so sorry for the loss of your dear mother. Rita was and will always be an exceptional presence in the lives of everyone who knew her. She took care of everyone all her life and is now in heaven where she is at peace. Her smile and laugh and love will stay with me forever. I'll see you at the funeral on Saturday. Love, Karen
Elnora Borchers visited this web page on Thursday, March 22, 2012
Kathy, Jeff and family, My sincere sympathy for the loss of your mother and grandmother. I worked with Rita at The Globe Post from 1951 until 1956. She was a truly remarkable person and a joy to work with. Everyone who knew her loved her. Prayers for all of you. Elnora Borchers
David and Anne Galles visited this web page on Thursday, March 22, 2012
To Kathy, Jeff and your family, our prayers and thoughts are with you. May God give you peace and strength during this time.
LOREN PAGELER visited this web page on Thursday, March 22, 2012
sorry to hear about your loss
Barb Shostak visited this web page on Thursday, March 22, 2012
Dear Faber Family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you at the loss of dear Rita. I so enjoyed the times I sat with her at Mom's table at Brentwood, talking about the girls, Teresa and Emily, and how Kathy and Jeff were doing. She so enjoyed her family and friends. Recalling her grin and wit brings a smile to my face every time I think of her. Know we are thinking of you all at this time. Your family has always held a special place in our heart. May you know the peace and comfort of Him at this time. The Shostak, Abram, and Shostak families
DONNA NIELSEN KIENZLE visited this web page on Thursday, March 22, 2012
KATHY, DON'T KNOW IF YOU REMEMBER ME BUT I WAS HERLIG NIELSENS YOUNGEST DAUGHTER. YOU WERE SO SWEET WHEN I KNEW YOU AS A CHILD. AND OH I LOVED YOUR PARENTS. WE JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT WE ARE PRAYING FOR YOU AND YOURS. KNOWING IT IS A BETTER PLACE WHERE SHE GOES. MUCH LOVE
Diane and Wayne Anstine visited this web page on Thursday, March 22, 2012
Kathy, Jeff, Emily and Jon - Our sympathy for the loss of your mom and grandma. "Sister Rita" was one remarkable lady! I remember with fondness all the great times we had in the Sentinel news room - the "open house" we (along with Dick) hosted for our new desks, our use of the word "nix", the conversations we had over our desks about our families and the stories we were working on and just the time we spent together. Sister Rita was a special person and I feel very fortunate to have known her. She was a treasurer who will not be forgotten. Please know that we are thinking of you at this difficult time.
Marcene Heeren visited this web page on Thursday, March 22, 2012
Kathy, My sympathy to you as you mourn the loss of your mother. It's a difficult time that we all have to endure at some point. I have so many fond memories of Rita from my time at the Sentinel. I especially remember the time that she had to get up and go into the break room so no one could see her laugh at AP. She was truly a class act and a lovely woman. The photo of her here is beautiful. Please know that I am thinking of you and praying that family, friends and great memories will comfort you now and in the weeks to come. Love, Marcene
Margaret Fett and family visited this web page on Thursday, March 22, 2012
You are in our thoughts and prayers. It was always a joy to see Rita at the different activities that Emily was in at the high school. She was so proud of her granddaughter!! Jeff, my son learned of her great standards as a journalist, when he worked at the Sentinel. She has left a wonderful legacy to those who are in the newspaper business. I know God will grant you courage and strength in the days to come. Margaret Fett, Maplewood, Mn
Diane and Jake Ruden visited this web page on Friday, March 23, 2012
Dear Kathy,Jeff & family. Sorry about the loss of your loved one. I enjoy working with your mom at the nursing home and visiting with family when the came to the home. Bonnie enjoyed visiting with you about the Rudens. Your mom enjoyed talking about the Kenaley. She was always nice to talk to.
Donna Rasmussen visited this web page on Friday, March 23, 2012
Thinking of you.
Deb and Kevin Kenaley visited this web page on Saturday, March 24, 2012
Dear Kathy, Jeff and family, We were saddened to hear of the passing of your beloved mother, Rita. What a wonderful lady with a great attitude! Her smile and enthusiasm for life were a gift to all of us who had the privilege of knowing her. You are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Deb and Kevin Kenaley
Cherie Varenhorst visited this web page on Saturday, March 24, 2012
We just wanted to let you know that our thoughts and prayers are with you! Rita always had such a nice smile, and her eyes would light up as we talked about Emily! Jeff, Kathy, Emily and John, we are thinking of you all! You are a special family. The Varenhorst family
Jo Ann Williams visited this web page on Saturday, March 24, 2012
Kathy, Jeff, Emily and family. My deepest sympathy to one and all. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Becky Murphy Stadlman visited this web page on Saturday, March 24, 2012
Kathy, I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your Mom. she was a wonderful mentor and I will always have great memories of her!
Betsy Carlson, nee Becker visited this web page on Sunday, March 25, 2012
Kathy and Betty, My sympathy to you on the loss of your mom and sister. Rita helped make my days as an intern at the Daily Sentinel a joy. It was fun hearing her talk about LeMars and its people. She knew everybody. God bless you and all of the Starzl and Kenaly families.
Robert Starzel visited this web page on Monday, March 26, 2012
Rita married my uncle Roman and ultimately took over enormous obligations which she met with a vigorous mind and generous spirit, keeping both him and the newspaper alive and well. Her reward was Kathy! My first meeting with my uncle was in 1964, when he was in bed and could only communicate with difficulty. Rita made caring for him seem easy but it could not have been. All of you who were with her constantly were blessed. She was a rare and wonderful person! Bob Starzel San Francisco
Don Paulin visited this web page on Monday, March 26, 2012
Kathy, and the Kenaley family, my sincere condolences. Rita was as pleasant as she was professional, and what a memory she had!
Sharon Kruse visited this web page on Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Kathy, Jeff and Family, I was saddened to hear about your mom's passing. She was one of a kind. I loved working with her at the Sentinel, no matter how you felt, Rita could make you feel better. She knew so much about everyone in town, it was totally amazing. I will always remember her seasonal jewelry. It was fun waiting to see what she would have for each holiday. She was a remarkable woman and I have missed working with her. May God be with all of you and give you strength. Make all the memories you make with Rita help you continue to celebrate her life.
Rita Starzl, 94, of Le Mars, died Tuesday, March 20, 2012, at the Good Samaritan Society in Le Mars.
Arrangements are pending with the Carlsen-Feuerstein Funeral Home in Le Mars, Iowa.
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