Agnes "Rita" Kline

Rita Kline, 76, died February 20, 2011, after a long illness. Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, February 24, at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church. Visitation will be held at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home on Wednesday from 5 to 9 p.m., with prayer of the Rosary at 7 p.m. Burial will follow the funeral service, at Glendale Cemetery in Des Moines.

Rita was born April 26, 1934, in Cumming, Iowa, the daughter of John and Mary (O’Donnell) Dillon. She attended St. Joseph’s Academy in Des Moines where she shared many treasured memories and escapades with her dear life-long friends (better known as “Club”), Mary Dunn, Patricia Foust and Margaret Starr. She married the love of her life, Claude Kline, January 1, 1953. Together they shared 39 years and raised six children. Rita was a transcriptionist at Farmland Insurance Company for 28 years. Rita was a member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church. She loved books, music, gardening and her precious grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She had a strong Irish heritage and relished annual St. Patrick’s Day celebrations with family and friends. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend.

Rita is survived by her children Rebecca (Randy) Liggett of Waukee, David of Des Moines, Michele (Steve) Swackhammer of Cumming, Thomas (Rosemary) of Des Moines, Stephen of Des Moines; eight grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; sisters, Angela (Robert) Kuhlman of Clive and Mary Wilgenbush of Fairfax, California, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Claude, her son, Paul, her parents, and her brother, John.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Anthony’s Catholic Church.

www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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