Memorials › Rita Marie Lewandowski Gembala
Rita Marie Lewandowski Gembala
8 Nov 1920 – 26 Apr 2012
| Birth | 8 Nov 1920 |
| Death | 26 Apr 2012 |
| Cemetery | Kearney Cemetery Kearney , Buffalo County , Nebraska , USA |
| Added by | Hannah G on 15 Oct 2018 |
| FaG | https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/89173209 |
Bio
KEARNEY - Rita M. Gembala, 91, of Kearney died Thursday, April 26, 2012, at her home in Kearney. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. James Catholic Church in Kearney. The Rev. Joe Hannappel will officiate. Burial will be in the Kearney Cemetery. Mrs. Gembala was born Nov. 8, 1920, in Ashton to Walter and Tekla (Kaminski) Lewandowski. She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond C. Gembala, and children, Danny and Johnny. Survivors of the immediate family include a son and daughter-in-law, Raymond and Marilyn Gembala, Jr. of Derby, Kan.; three daughters and sons-in-law, Mary Ellen and Craig Burchess of Grand Island, Kathy and Bill Mizner of Norfolk, Cindy and Bobby Hugg of Kearney; two brothers and a sister-in-law, Al Lewandowski of Grand Island, Jim and Donna Lewandowski of California; a sister and brother-in-law, Annette and Richard Mendyk of Grand Island; two sisters-in-law, Mary Ann Lewandowski of Grand Island, Ellie Lewandowski, of Loup City. Additional survivors include sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Elaine and Frank Rozmiarek of St. Paul, Irene Klausen of Loup City, Jim Gembala of Loup City; grandchildren, Geoff and Kristen Gembala, Shelia Burchess, Adam and Danna Burchess, Jessica and Dan Falk, Alec and Angela Mizner, Brendon Mizner, Kaitlin Mizner; great-grandchildren, Josh, Alyssa, Braeden, Connor, Jack and Jordan. She married Raymond C. Gembala on April 12, 1947, in Lincoln, while Ray was back on leave from the Navy. Rita was selfless and nurturing through her entire life. She had very close bonds with her grandchildren and her incredible smile came out whenever she talked to them, and she especially loved seeing them on Skype or Facetime. She believed you needed to keep your mind active and was always willing to learn something new. After her stroke in 2002, she went to the UNK Speech and Communication Department and worked with many young people and learned to use a computerized communication device. She learned how to make latchhook rugs and spent many wonderful hours with her caregivers creating beautiful cards and special projects. Rita will be remembered for her beautiful handwork, embroidery, needlework, quilting and crocheting, and her beautiful voice singing Happy Birthday. The neighbors will all remember her for her baking, full cookie bucket and her beautiful roses and flowers. She was very active in St. James Catholic Church, serving through baking alter bread, helping with cursillos, the Alter Society, serving at wakes and funeral dinners, and was a member of the Wednesday Morning Bible Study. Rita was also preceded in death by a granddaughter Jamie; brothers, Louis, Andy, Ralph, Mike and Gene; sisters, Margaret and Sally. Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl Funeral home in charge of arrangements. Published in The Grand Island Independent on April 28, 2012
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Family
Parents
Spouse
Siblings
- Margaret R. Lewandowski Kowalski 1911–1999
- Louis Ladislas "Louie" Lewandowski 1912–1998
- Andrew Leopold Lewandowski 1915–1990
- Salomea Dorthey "Sally" Lewandowski Golka 1918–1997
- Alois John "Al" Lewandowski 1923–2015
- Ralph Philip Lewandowski 1926–1965
- Michael James Lewandowski 1928–1998
- Eugene Leonard "Gene" Lewandowski 1928–2010
Children
- Mary Ellen "Mel" Gembala Burchess 1948–2025
- John "Johnny" Gembala 1950–1950
- Daniel Joseph "Danny" Gembala 1958–1958
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