Rita Wassenberg Van Gaasbeek

Rita passed away peacefully at the Brookdale facility in Albuquerque, NM on Monday, November 2, 2015 at the age of 87 after a two year bout with Alzheimers. She was born on a farm near Marysville, Kansas to parents Mary and Ben Wassenberg on October 7, 1928. She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Roland "Van" Van Gaasbeek; daughter, Anna Van Gaasbeek; son, Jon Van Gaasbeek; brothers, Wilford (Pete) Wassenberg, Eugene (Gene) Wassenberg; sisters-in-law, Billie Wassenberg, Evelyn Wassenberg; and numerous nieces and nephews. Rita was preceded in death by her father and mother; brothers, Morris (Fearless) Wassenberg, Bernard Wassenberg and Louis (Bud) Wassenberg; sisters, Elizabeth (Liz) Wassenberg, Rosemary Brangart and Dorthia (Pat) Wassenberg. Rita was the seventh child born of nine children born to Mary and Ben. She grew up on the farm near Marysville, Kansas and graduated from Marysville High School with the class of 1946 and added to her education by attending the prestigious Edna Marie Dunn School of dressmaking. In addition to her accomplishments as a seamstress she was an artist. One of her first jobs was at JC Penny Co where she received compliments personally from Mr. Penny for window dressings. Rita moved to Albuquerque in 1952 and was employed by the now closed New Mexico Timber Co. She met her future husband, Van, in 1954 and they were married in 1957. She continued to work at the Timber Co. until starting their family. She then excelled as wife, mother, church volunteer and neighborhood improvement worker. A Memorial and Reception will be Tuesday, November 10, 2015, 3:00 p.m. at FRENCH - Lomas. She will be laid to rest in Marysville, Kansas on Friday, November 13, 2015 with a Mass and burial at St. Gregory Catholic Church and Cemetery.