Rita Derksen

RITA M. DERKSEN

Rita M. Derksen, age 80, of Warsaw, IL, died Thursday, August 4, 2011, at Blessing Hospital in Quincy, IL.

Rita was born July 24, 1931 at Gorin, MO, the 11th of 13 children born to Ed and Grace Garmon Hatfield.

She attended Kirksville State Teacher's College and taught at Ballard School for several years in Clark County.

She had been married to John Derksen and they were the parents of five children: Eric, Erol, J.R., Rita and Janis.

Survivors include three sons, Eric (Lee Ann) Derksen of Suffolk, VA, Erol Derksen of Warsaw, IL, and J. R. (Angie) Derksen of Monroe City, MO; two daughters, Rita J. Black of Quincy, IL, and Janis (Tim) Kindhart of Ursa, IL; six grandchildren: Evan and Dane Derksen of Monroe City, Rex Derksen, Nikki Poling, James (Tammy) Black and Rita R. Black, all of Quincy, IL; seven great grandchildren; two brothers, Lemuel Hatfield of Memphis, MO and Melvin (Kim) Hatfield of Kahoka, MO; one sister, Izetta Nahra of Bluegrass, IA ; sisters-in-law, Sarah Hatfield of Kansas City and Laverne Hatfield of Texas; as well as nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers: Ross, Leo, Stanley, Elmer, Mason, and one in infancy; and, three sisters, Almeta Mathes and Juanita Mathes and one in infancy.

Rita was a talented musician and shared her talents in her home, her church, and in her weekly show she hosted on ChristVision. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Hamilton and taught Sunday School for many years. She worked hard all of her life providing for her five children. She was a health insurance sales rep for Combine Insurance, retiring in the mid 1980's. She was a Christian mother who woke each day wondering how she could serve the Lord. She was devoted to her grandchildren and family.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, August 9, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at Wilson Funeral Home with burial following in the Wyaconda Cemetery.

Memorials were suggested to the T.B.C. Program at First Baptist Church in Hamilton, IL or Holy Rosary School in Monroe City.