Rita Mae Ahler

Rita Mae Ahler (Fritsch) age 89, passed away with her family by her side, on June 9, 2024 at her home at Heritage Woods of Belvidere. She was born in Chicago, Illinois on July 30, 1934 the daughter of Walter and Rose (McCarthy) Fritsch.

Until the age of 10, Rita attended St. Bartholomew school and parish in Chicago.  The family moved to Lawrence, IL for a few years, and it was in Lawrence that Rita fell in love with horses.  She, and her sisters, would find any excuse to help the local horse owners with their animals.  This love for horses would last her entire life.

The family moved to Harvard at the age of 14, where Rita attended St. Joseph school and Harvard High School,  graduating in 1952.  Always full of energy, Rita worked at the Admiral Corporation in Harvard until she met the love of her life in 1958.  Vince was a patient farmer, who had to date all of Rita’s friends before she realized he really just wanted to date her.  It was a whirlwind romance, with a wedding in May of 1960 and the first of three sons being born in 1961.

Not averse to working hard, and having a deep love for animals (especially horses!), Rita was a natural partner to her dairy farming husband.  They raised all three of their boys on the White River Valley Farm, just outside of Lake Geneva, WI.  Retiring in 1984, they began their next chapter in central Wisconsin, and became fixtures in Coloma and Stevens Point, WI until 2009.

Moving back south in 2009, Rita and Vince lived with their son and daughter-in-law for seven years.  It was there that they became active parishioners at St. Margaret Mary Parish in Algonquin, IL.  This was a great period of time for their two grandsons as they were able to learn from “the greatest generation” and develop relationships of their own with their grandparents.

A devout Catholic her entire life, Rita served in about every lay position the Church offered.  Being active in her parishes was one of her joys, and she would regale all those around her with various stories of her service and the Priests she came to know.  A special thanks to Fr. Daniel for spending one of her last days with her, giving her peace and joy by administering her last Sacraments (Blessing and Communion).

Rita is survived by her loving sons, Tim (Jamie) Ahler and Jerry (Amy) Ahler; her grandchildren, Rissa, Justin, BreAnna, Alyssa, Kevin and John; and her great grandchildren, Aiden, Lillian and Lucas.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Vince Ahler, her son, Daniel Ahler, her grandson, Richard Ahler, and her siblings, Patricia Wozniewski, Irene Zuhlke, Jim Fritsch and Mary Montgomery.

Family & friends will gather on Friday, June 28, 2024, with a visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m., prior to an 11:00 a.m. Funeral Mass at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, 111 S. Hubbard St., Algonquin, IL.

In lieu of flowers, and in keeping with Rita’s service heart, please support your local St. Vincent DePaul Society and the good they do for those in need.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family by clicking on Tribute Wall.

Willow Funeral Home & Cremation Care in Algonquin is assisting the family with all arrangements. For additional information please call 847-458-1700.

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