Thelma Louise Rich

Mrs. Thelma Louise Rich, 93, of Cape Girardeau, formerly of Anna, went home to be with Jesus on Thursday, July 20 at 9:25 p.m. She was born on December 4, 1923 to Dugan and Agnes Tripp of rural Cobden. Louise was married to Fred Rich on August 24, 1942 in Cape Girardeau, MO. After over 60 years of marriage, Fred passed away on October 6, 2003. Louise is survived by four daughters, Janice Kay Kimmich-Choate of Cape Girardeau, Judy Gail Casper (Ron) of Gordonville, MO, Leta Rose Smith (Blayne) of Cobden and Becky Ellen Oakley (John) of Benton, KY, ten devoted grandchildren, Teresa Thrower (Tony) of Jackson, MO, Rhonda Ruark (Mark) of Cape Girardeau, MO, Angela Graviett (Jeff) of Jackson, MO, Darren Casper (Kelli) of Imperial, MO, Carrie Stroup (Jason) of Gordonville, MO, Amanda Sheridan (Brad) of Anna, Kallie Smith (Fiance, Patrick) of Ferguson, MO, Meredith Frey (Harold) of Cobden, Sarah Luczkiw (Tim) of Athens, OH and Logan Oakley (Taylor) of Nashville, TN, nineteen great-grandchildren, Travis, Austin, and Reagan Thrower, Jay, Nick, and Nathan Ruark, Kirstan and Blake Graviett, Garrett and Miranda Metje, Jordan and Zachary Casper, Carson and Mollie Stroup, Thaniel Sheridan, Tripp Barry, Naomi, Cora and Victoria Frey and one more on the way; two great-great grandsons, Payton Ruark and Luke Mirgeaux. Louise was preceded in death by her parents; siblings: Frank Tripp, Mary Keith, Catherine Dillow, Charles Tripp, Glenn Tripp and Betty Taylor; and her twin great-granddaughters, Iris Mae and Josephine Louise Sheridan. Louise grew up in a large and loving family on a beautiful farm where she attended Pleasant Ridge School and Pleasant Ridge Church. She and Fred later farmed and lived on that same farm for almost 50 years before retiring in rural Anna. At the time of her passing, Louise was the oldest living member of Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church, having been a member since the age of sixteen. Louise was a devoted mother and grandmother. She was a very hard worker who relished taking care of her home, family and farm. The farm included dairy cows and she worked alongside first her father and then her husband in the often arduous but rewarding task of farming. She was active in her church and her hobbies included: gardening, reading, quilting, and was known for making her delicious Christmas candy. She especially enjoyed flower gardening and belonged to the Anna Garden Club. Louise often helped judge quilts at the Union County Fair. For the last five years of her life, Louise resided with her daughter, Kay Kimmich-Choate, of Cape Girardeau. Funeral services for Louise Rich will be at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, July 24, 2017 in the Rendleman and Hileman Funeral Home in Anna with Darren Casper officiating. Interment will be in the Cobden Cemetery. Friends may call after 11:00 a.m. and until the service hour at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, July 24, 2017 in the Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Anna. Memorials may be made to Southeast Missouri Hospice. Visitation Service Monday, July 24, 2017,11:00AM-1:00PM Rendleman and Hileman Funeral Homes 301 West Spring Street Anna, Illinois 62906 Memorial/Funeral Service Monday, July 24, 2017,1:00PM Rendleman and Hileman Funeral Homes 301 West Spring Street Anna, Illinois 62906 Cemetery Service Monday, July 24, 2017,2:00PM Cobden Cemetery Cobden School Road Cobden, Illinois 62920