Rita M. Lis

Rita M. Lis, nee Cotter, 91, of Fox River Grove passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 4, 2022.  She was born on April, 5, 1931 in Chicago to Michael and Mary Cotter and was the youngest of six siblings. 

Rita met her husband Edman Lis after he moved to the Chicago area following his service in the U.S. Army during World War II.  They were married on August 7, 1954 at St. Veronica Church in Chicago.

Rita is survived by her daughters Mary Kay (George) Moersch and Judy (Dennis) Laughlin, grandchildren Heidi (Craig) Butcher, Ashley (Patrick) O’Brien, Patrick (Bridget) Laughlin, Tyler (Miranda) Moersch, Ryan Laughlin (Gillian Freter) and Caroline (Timothy) Erb, great-grandchildren Craig Butcher, Jr., Madelyn Butcher and Patrick O’Brien, Jr. and her dearest lifelong friend, Margaret Duda.

She was preceded in death by her husband Edman in 1987 and her son Edman Michael in 2013.  She was heartbroken with their passings.

Rita was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and daughter and also had a long career at the Chicago Board of Education where she was a top-rated and highly esteemed school clerk until her retirement in 1998.  She worked at Melody Elementary School, George B. Armstrong Elementary School, Lane Tech High School in the summers and most notably, ended her career as the school treasurer at Lincoln Park High School.  She took her responsibilities as the treasurer very seriously by assuring that the school’s finances were accurate to the penny.  Rita also was a delegate to the Chicago Teacher’s Union for many years.  She was a strong and vocal supporter of her union.

Rita was the most loving, kind, generous and thoughtful wife and mother and even prouder grandmother.  She will be dearly missed by all who loved her.

She loved celebrating family birthdays and holidays, always spoiling her children and grandchildren. She was an animal lover and had many precious pets through the years.  She loved roses and had a beautiful rose garden that she created at her home on Grace Street in Chicago with her husband Edman. 

Most of all, Rita was a devout member of SS. Peter and Paul Church in Cary for 29 years.  She loved the Blessed Mother and the rosary was her devotion.  She was a volunteer at PADS on Monday nights for many years. 

The wake for Rita M. Lis will be held Wednesday, August 10, 2022 from 3:00 – 8:00 p.m at Kahle-Moore Funeral Home, 403 Silver Lake Road, Cary, IL.

A 10:00 a.m. visitation will be held at Kahle-Moore Funeral Home prior to the Funeral Mass that will be held Thursday, August 11, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at SS. Peter and Paul Church, 410 N. First Street, Cary, IL. 

Burial will immediately follow at All Saints Cemetery, 700 N. River Road, Des Plaines, IL. 

Donations in Rita M. Lis’ name may be made to SS. Peter and Paul Church, Cary, IL.