Rita Kreutz

Rita M. Kreutz of Fenton entered into rest on Friday, March 19, 2021 at age of 97.  She is preceded in death by her husband Joseph F. Kreutz, son Mark Kreutz, and parents August & Mary (nee Nuyt) DeGeeter. She is survived by her children; Gerard M. Kreutz, Donna L. Holz, Maury J. (Harvey) Ellebrecht, Michael (Debbie) Kreutz and Norine (Eric) Reid.   Grandchildren; Dawn (Nick) Wilcox, Ashley M. Kreutz, Lisa Holz (Jared) Bunton, Jacob (Anastasiya) Ellebrecht, Aaron Ellebrecht, Nathan (Amy) Ellebrecht, Rebekah L Ellebrecht, Trace Jordan and step grandchild Michael Giannini. Great-Grandchildren; Corey, Jeremy, Olivia, Maggie, Xavier, Taylor, Victoria, Alexandria, Ariana, Jacob, Nathan Jr., Owen, Joseph, Harry, Rene’, Alysa, Breanna, Andrew, Andre’, Zachery, Dominic and Mia Bellea.   Dear sister of Oliver M. DeGeeter. Dear aunt to many in the Kreutz, Ewen, Rodgers and Block families.  Dear friend of Bob Catlett.

Rita’s greatest memories are of her Military Duty and training in Motor Transport during WWII in the US Marine Corp Women’s Reserve.  After the war, she married her sweetheart Joseph F. Kreutz on September 1, 1945 shortly after he returned home from serving four years in the US Army.  Together they raised six children.  Rita worked alongside her husband running the JFK Parochial School Bus Service for many years.  Ultimately, Rita found her true talent and passion in music.  As a young girl. She taught herself to play the piano “by ear” never having taken music lessons.  She could sing beautifully and played piano and organ.  She was also talented artistically working with Catholic school children in the liturgical theatrical productions.  She became the organist for Assumption Catholic Church in the early 60’s, St. George’s Catholic Church in Affton in the 70’s-80’s, and finally Holy Infant Catholic Church/School in Ballwin as the pastoral musician from the late 80’s until her retirement at age 92 in 2016.  Later in life after her husband’s death, she joined the Benedictine Order as another way to share her talent and commitment to her faith.  She will be truly missed.  There will be a private family memorial.