Rita G. Gruber

Funeral services for Rita Gruber, 71, Eudora, Kan., will be held 2:00 p.m., on Wednesday, January 29, 2020, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Eudora. Burial will follow at Holy Family Catholic Cemetery in Eudora.

Rita passed away Thursday, January 16, 2020, at KU Med Center due to complications from a brain aneurysm sustained at her home on Tuesday.

Rita was born on September 15, 1948, in Pavia, Iloilo, Philippines, the daughter of Monico H Guarnes and Saturnina H Jalandoni. Rita immigrated to the United States and became a U.S. Citizen.

Rita retired from Lawrence Memorial Hospital after 25 years, but continued her volunteer work for the hospital in addition to working at the De Soto McDonald’s. Rita was commonly known as the “Energizer Bunny” with her regular customers in De Soto, full of life and always keeping busy. Rita welcomed hospital patients and visitors, McDonald’s customers with the biggest smile and warm welcome. She is known for always lending a helping hand the best way she knew. This included helping her family in the Philippines, especially her niece Tess Gianan’s education. Rita was a sponsor of two children in need out of the country who wrote to her regularly expressing their gratitude.

Rita loved her two dogs, Blackie and Marley, gardening and travelling. The trip she valued the most was her pilgrimage to the Vatican with her closest friend, Marjorie Tirol- Plantz, where they met the Pope.

Rita attended Holy Family Catholic Church in Eudora and she was actively involved with church members.

Survivors include five siblings, Luz Joaquin, Aurea Guarnes, Carlito Guarnes, Evelina Jalandoni and Lorna Plata, as well as three step-children, Mark, John Jr., and Margaret. She is also survived by five grandchildren and 21 nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, John Gruber, who died on December 18, 2011.

The family will greet friends on Tuesday, January 28, 2020, from 5:00 -7:00 p.m., at Warren-McElwain Mortuary – Eudora Chapel, with a Rosary Recitation starting at 5:00 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made in her name to Holy Family Catholic Church in Eudora and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.