Rita (Roberts) Giesing of Middleville, formerly of Shelbyville, died Friday, March 4. She was 93.
Rita was born April 12, 1922, in Sarnia, Canada, the daughter of Curtis Charles and Mary Harriet (Pagenois) Hartwell. During World War II, she was employed at a VA Hospital in Detroit, where she met Al Roberts who was a patient. They were married on June 15, 1946. He preceded her in death on April 12, 2002.
Rita and Al owned West Michigan Elevator Company and Rita managed the office. Rita was active in TOPS and the Delton VFW Auxiliary.
Rita in 2003 married Richard Giesing, who survives. She is also survived by Richard’s children: John and Susan Giesing, and Susan Giesing and Douglas Williams, her sisters: Thelma (Jim) Aune and Evelyn (Bernard) Robinson, special friends: Gwen and John Metz, and several nieces and nephews.
Rita was also preceded in death by her parents, a son: Bill A. Roberts on May 29, 1996, and two sisters: Lillian and Marion.
Rita’s family will receive friends from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 8, at the Beeler-Gores Funeral Home, Middleville, where her funeral service will be conducted 1 p.m. Private burial will take place in Brown Cemetery.
Memorial contributions to the VFW National Home for Children or the Air Force Historical Society will be appreciated.