In loving memory of
Alice "Rita" Ray
February 17, 1939 - July 17, 2021
A graveside inurnment for Rita Ray, formerly of Bancroft, will take place on Saturday, September 11, 2021, at 11:00 AM, at St. John's Catholic Cemetery in Bancroft. A funeral Mass for Rita Ray was held Saturday, August 28, 2021 at 11:00 AM at All Souls Catholic Church, Englewood, CO.
Alice Rita Ray, daughter of James Dominic and Frances Margaret (Currans) Antoine was born February 17, 1939, on the family farm northeast of Ayrshire, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Ayrshire. Rita moved with her family to a farm east of Bancroft, Iowa in 1949. She attended St. John's Catholic School in Bancroft, graduating in 1957. She graduated from Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in Des Moines, Iowa in 1960.
Rita worked as a nurse in Des Moines, Minneapolis, MN, Bethesda, MD, Washington D.C. and Denver, CO. She relocated to Denver in 1970, where she met C.S. Bud Ray. They were married November 23,1973, then moved to Centennial, Colorado where she and Bud spent many good years. Rita spent her final years working with Veterans Affairs in Denver.
Rita loved to ski, golf, visit micro-breweries, shop at thrift stores, go out to lunch, volunteer at her church, the men's shelter in downtown Denver, and take care of her furry friends. Rita had four dogs over the years, each one very special to her. She had many friends and enjoyed spending time with them. Rita and Bud were faithful members of All Souls Catholic Church in Englewood, Colorado. Bud died June 30, 2015.
Rita died at her home in Centennial on July 17, 2021, under the care of Bridges Hospice.
Survivors include Rita's sister Karen Renger and her brother-in-law, W.A. "Bucky"; sister-in-law, Maxine Antoine; nephews Tim Renger, Todd Renger, Christian Antoine, TJ Antoine and Jonathan Antoine; nieces Terese Renger, Maureen Stockman, and Susan Renger; stepdaughter Ann Ray Clark; stepson Bob Ray; and 17 great nieces and nephews.
Deceased family members include Rita's parents; her husband Bud Ray; brothers Jim Antoine and Tom Antoine; nephew Tony Renger; and niece Amy Antoine Wolvert.