Rita Marie Tucker, 88, Jasper

Rita Marie Tucker, 88, Jasper, passed away at 1:45 a.m. on Monday, January 9, 2017, at her home in Jasper.

She was born in Fowler, Ind. on November 16, 1928, to August J. and Ernestine E (Pamperin) Gretencord. Her mother was originally from Green Bay, Wisc. and her father from Ottawa, Ill.

Rita grew up on the family farm near Dunnington, Ind. during the Great Depression which, in addition to her parents’ influence, served to shape her outlook on life. On July 3, 1954, she married Robert L. Tucker in St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Dunnington. They were married for more than 40 years until Bob’s death on April 10, 1995.

Rita was one of 14 graduating members of the 1946 class of Freeland Park High School. Then, in 1950 she graduated with honors from Indiana State Teachers College in Terre Haute with a BS in Education. Immediately after graduation, Rita taught home economics at Jasper High School followed by various elementary grades at Holy Family School. Rita was a teacher by both training and nature; with the patience that allowed you to learn from your mistakes. Later she began a career in retail, first as a partner in R & B Menswear and then in the bridal business; retiring from the Bridal Boutique on the square in Jasper in 2015.

Rita was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church for over 60 years where she was active in many capacities including the parish RCIA team for an extended period up until her death. In 2015, Bishop Charles C. Thompson and the Catholic Diocese of Evansville bestowed upon her the Simon Brute award in recognition of her good and faithful service. She was a member of the parish’s Sodality of the Blessed Virgin and one of the founding leaders of the Holy Family Young Hopefuls 4-H club.

Rita is survived by her four children, Carol Stutsman, Terry Tucker and wife Kim Lampert-Tucker, Ann Rasche and husband Tim, all of Jasper, and Joe Tucker and wife Lesa of Vincennes; seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, Brian Stutsman, Kelsey Valenta, Craig Tucker, Amanda Tucker, Adam Tucker, Kyle Tucker, Lauren Tucker, Savannah Stutsman and Brady Stutsman.

She was also preceded in death by her stepmother Florence M. (Pamperin) Gretencord and three sisters Doris M. Victor, Janet A. Kramerich and infant Josephine Gretencord.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 14, 2017, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Jasper. Entombment will follow at Fairview Cemetery Mausoleum.

Visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, January 13, 2017, at Becher-Kluesner Downtown Chapel in Jasper and one hour before Mass on Saturday at Holy Family Catholic Church. The Holy Family Blessed Virgin Sodality will pray the rosary at 1:45 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions can be made to either Holy Family Catholic Church or a favorite charity.

Condolences may be shared at www.becherkluesner.com.