Rita Annette Gale's Obituary
Rita Annette Gale, age 74, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, December 21, 2024, in Cocoa Beach, Florida. She passed from this life peacefully while on vacation and surrounded by family, just as she would have wanted. Rita was born on March 14, 1950, to Roy and Gladys (LaHaye) Vanas. After graduating from Orchard View High School, she married Donald Wilkerson with whom she owned and operated several businesses with; after his death, she later married Wayne Gale. Family and friends were her most cherished earthly possessions and she was a selfless giver whose acts of love and kindness seemed to never run dry. If she wasn’t cooking for those whom she loved, she could be found crafting, attending powwows and language camps as a proud elder of the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, yard saling, sneaking to the casino, or on one of the many adventures she enjoyed with her children and grandchildren. As it reads in the book of Proverbs… “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” Although Rita endured her last years with cancer, she did so with grace, courage, strength, and a resilience that only God himself could have given her. As a mother, she was a powerful force that brought comfort, healing, and guidance when needed most. Her memory will be cherished and her legacy will remain a source of comfort and inspiration to all those who mourn her passing. Rita was preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Gladys (LaHaye) Vanas; husbands, Donald Wilkerson and Wayne Gale; brother, Roy (Tony) Vanas; and sisters, Geraldine Cook, Deanna Reister, and Emilie Jespersen. She is survived by her children, Randall (Kathy) Wilkerson, Wendy Locke, Christopher (Jennifer) Lamkin, Heidi Wilkerson, and Donnie (Andrea) Wilkerson; each of their respective children and grandchildren; brother Darrell (Mary Jo) Vanas; many nieces and nephews; and dear friend Tammy DiPiazza. SERVICES for Rita will be held 11:00 AM Tuesday, December 31, 2024 at The Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral and Cremation Services, 6291 S. Harvey St., Norton Shores, MI 49444 (231) 798-1100. VISITATION with the family will be from 6-8 PM on Monday, December 30, 2024 and also one hour prior to the service Tuesday morning. She will be laid to rest in Egelston Twp. Cemetery. MEMORIALS to the Muskegon Cancer and Hematology Center would be appreciated. To share a photo, memory, and sign the family’s online guestbook, please visit www.sytsemafh.com
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