Rita H. Wandro, nee Pfeiffer, age 89, born May 23, 1921 in O'Fallon, Ill., passed away Sunday, May 30, 2010 at St. Elizabeth's Hospital, Belleville, Ill.

Rita graduated from Notre Dame School in Belleville and then attend St. John's School of Nursing in Springfield, Ill. She was a dedicated nurse, working mostly in the newborn nurseries at several Metro-east hospitals. She was a long-time parishioner at St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church in O'Fallon, and had previously attended St. Luke's Catholic Church while living in Belleville. Rita rode horses as a child, growing up along the country roads. She was a devoted mother to her two children and was "like a mother" to many others. She loved watching "Days of Our Lives" and game shows; she was generous in crocheting afghans for her family, making ceramics, and was always catching up on Yadier Molina's and the Cardinals' efforts on the baseball diamond. Mrs. Wandro was a member of O'Fallon Senior Citizens.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Leander J. Wandro; her son James S. Wandro; her daughter Diane Summers; her parents Cyril and Marie (nee Feder) Pfeiffer, and her brother Everett "Bud" Pfeiffer.

Mrs. Wandro is survived by her nephew Ron Christensen of Belleville; her daughter-in-law LeRose Wandro of Red Bud; three grandsons, Kerry (Mandy) Wandro, Kurt (Larissa) Wandro, and William Junge; great-grandchildren, Kyle, Krista, James, Keaton, Grayson, Alexia, and Victoria, and many nieces, nephews, and friends. A special thank-you to friend and caregiver, Judy Meier, for the countless hours that were spent with Rita.

Memorial Donations in honor of Mrs. Wandro are suggested in the form of Masses and will be accepted at the funeral home.

Visitation: Friends may call from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Thursday June 3, 2010 at Wolfersberger Funeral Home, 102 W. Washington St., O'Fallon. The Rosary will be recited at 4:00 p.m. The O'Fallon Senior Citizens Club will conduct a walk-through at 6:00 p.m. Thursday. Visitation will continue at 9:30 a.m., Friday, June 4, 2010 at the church.

Funeral: Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Friday June 4, 2010 at St. Clare Catholic Church with Rev. James Wynne and Rev. James Deiters, concelebrating. Interment will follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery, Shiloh, Ill.