Rita Beth (Gibler) Connell

Rita Beth (Gibler) Connell, 86, of Jefferson City, peacefully departed this life and entered her well-earned eternal rest on Wednesday, March 10, 2021, at The Arbors at Westbrook Terrace with her two sons by her side holding her hands. Rita was born on August 5, 1934, at the family home near Cole Junction, just west of Jefferson City in Cole County Missouri, the seventh of nine children to Solomon Edwin Dewey Gibler and Millie B (Vogel) Gibler. Rita's maternal grandmother Leota served as midwife during her birth until the doctor came along later that afternoon. Her mother Millie recalled that day was the hottest anyone could remember, and believed the stifling heat tempered Rita's personality such that "she went after everything in life like she was killing snakes!". Her mother was right! Rita attended King's Chapel School and Centertown schools through the 7th grade, attended 8th and 9th grades at Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Junior High School while living with her maternal aunt Ola and uncle Arthur in Alamo, Texas, returned home in 1949 to attend Simonsen High School in Jefferson City for her sophomore year and attended Jamestown High School during her junior and senior years, graduating in May 1952. Rita and Curt were acquainted during their childhood but lost touch when Rita lived in Texas and Curt enlisted in the Army. They were reacquainted at a high school basketball game in the fall of 1951 when Rita was cheerleading and noticed Curt, who was home on leave, sitting in the bleachers wearing his uniform. Rita exclaimed to her girlfriends "he is a tall drink of water!" and made sure he noticed her. Notice her he did, and soon they were engaged in a long-distance courtship while Curt was completing his enlistment and Rita was finishing high school. They both moved to Jefferson City and were married in a small ceremony at the Baptist Church chapel on July 4th, 1953. Immediately after graduating from high school in May 1952, Rita accepted a position as a switchboard operator for Missouri Power & Light Company in Jefferson City. She impressed her employers with her work ethic and was promoted through the ranks of the clerical and treasury departments to the position of executive treasurer in 1979, a position she held until 1987. Rita worked in the clerical department at the Callaway Nuclear Plant until 1989 when she qualified for retirement. She spent the last two years of her employment carpooling with her co-workers from Jefferson City to the nuclear plant every day, and often said those times were the most fun of her entire career. Curt and Rita joined the First Christian Church on March 19, 1961, and immediately dedicated themselves to all aspects of church life. Rita was a tireless worker and could always be counted on to serve wherever needed, from cleaning the kitchen after a fellowship dinner to serving as a deaconess, executive board member, or Elder Emeritus. Rita strived for goodness in everything she did and was the best kind of Christian who led by example, never waiting to be asked to serve, and always eager to extend her unconditional love to anyone, or any creature, who needed it. Rita was an active member of the MSSDAR where she regularly served as chairman of State Constitution Week, and the Jane Randolph Jefferson Chapter DAR where she held numerous posts including chapter regent. Rita was an active member of P.E.O. Sisterhood Chapter FS., serving on the Courtesy Committee. She volunteered as co-chair of the Mid-Missouri Alzheimer's Association with her friend Ted Distler after her beloved husband Curt was diagnosed with the disease, working to disseminate information and resources to the caregivers and family members of dementia patients. Curt and Rita enjoyed traveling with their close friends and did so extensively after retirement, taking frequent excursions to interesting destinations around the U.S. and special trips including two whitewater rafting expeditions through the Grand Canyon on the Colorado River, a tour of Italy and Sicily, and a tour of Russia on the Volga River. Curt and Rita were happily married for 49 years until Curt's death in 2002, just 9 months shy of their 50th wedding anniversary. His passing left a void that Rita was never able to fill, and she missed him every day while they were apart. Her only comfort was knowing that they would be together again someday. Rita's favorite role in life was "Grandma" and her true joy was the precious time spent with her five beautiful granddaughters (her only reason for tolerating sons). She was over the moon when she could have all five of them together to share adventures and make wonderful memories, but just like Rita's relationship with her own grandmother, whom she shared with many other grandchildren, she had a special place in her heart for each granddaughter. Grandma Rita recognized and cherished the unique qualities, individual character and strengths of each of her granddaughters. Brian and Brent could not have been blessed with better parents. Curt and Rita worked hard to be good role models for their sons, always there with guidance, encouragement, and support throughout all phases of their lives. Rita grew up farm tough and somewhat of a tomboy, so she had no trouble keeping up with and ahead of two rambunctious sons. Curt and Rita dedicated themselves to providing their sons with the skills, resources and opportunities to make their own way in the world and that is the greatest gift a parent can bestow on their children. They did just about everything for Brian and Brent except spoil them, which Curt and Rita saved for their granddaughters. There are so many good things to say and wonderful stories to share about Rita. Rita was intelligent, beautiful, talented, witty, feisty, social, resilient, independent, adventurous, fiercely competitive, and most of all warm and loving. She strived for excellence in everything she pursued and was a great role model for all who knew her. Rita leaves this world a much better and more beautiful place and we are grateful for having shared it with her. Those remaining to cherish the memory of Rita and celebrate her beautiful legacy are her two sons: Brian D. Connell (Margaret), Brent G. Connell (Donna); five granddaughters: Sara Connell, Cody (Joe) Hurley, Jessi (Joel) Tatangelo, Maureen E. Connell and Margaret E. Connell; seven great-grandchildren: Aryston, Lochlan, Ryan, Penelope, Scarlett, Quincy and Miles; one sister: Catherine Leota (Gibler) Vaughan (husband Richard Vaughan); two sisters-in-law: Jenetia (Gemeinhardt) Gibler and Judy (Kirchoff) Gibler; one brother-in-law: Dennis Stock; 25 nieces and nephews on the Gibler side; six nieces and nephews on the Connell side; and many dear friends from all facets of her life, especially her very best friend, Henrietta. Rita was preceded in her journey by her parents; her beloved husband: Curtis Lee Connell; seven siblings: May Lavern (Gibler) Wadley Carson, Ola Jean (Gibler) Wright, Richard Edward Gibler, William Frederick Gibler, Roy Lee Gibler, Evelyn B (Gibler) Belt Stock, and James Dewey Gibler; two sisters-in-law on the Gibler side; four brothers-in-law on the Gibler side; two nephews on the Gibler side; three sisters-in-law on the Connell side; three brothers-in-law on the Connell side; 10 nieces and nephews on the Connell side; and many dear friends. Family and friends will be received from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Friday, March 19, 2021, at First Christian Church. Visitation will be followed by a private celebration of Rita's life with Reverend Beau Underwood officiating. Private graveside services and interment will be held at Hawthorn Memorial Gardens. Rita's family wishes to express our sincerest appreciation to all the family and dear friends who sent expressions of sympathy at this time of our loss; to those who shared your love, time and energy with Rita in her later years; to her special angels at The Arbors; to her Compassus team who provided skilled and compassionate care at the end of her life; and most of all to Rita's very best friend, Henrietta, who was by Rita's side nearly every day for the last 10 years and whose advocacy, love and patience enabled Rita to maintain her sense of independence, dignity and self-esteem throughout her courageous battle. Thank You! Expressions of sympathy can be made in Rita's memory to the First Christian Church, New Hope Cemetery Association, Mid-Missouri Alzheimer's Association, Compassus Living Foundation, or any worthy service organization that provides assistance to children, veterans or animals in need, all of which were the beneficiaries of Rita's kindness. Arrangements are under the direction of HOUSER-MILLARD Funeral Directors, 2613 West Main Street, Jefferson City, MO 65109, (573) 636-3838. Condolences may be left online for the family at www.millardfamilychapels.com.