Rita Santi Knoth

Rita Jean Knoth (née Santi)
December 21, 1939 – November 14, 2024

Rita Jean Knoth (née Santi), age 84, a lifelong resident of Highland Park, Illinois, passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 14, 2024, at Highland Park Hospital, surrounded by her loving family. Born on December 21, 1939, in Highland Park, she was the daughter of Bruno and Dora (Pagliai) Santi. Rita spent her entire life in the community that she loved, and her memory will be cherished by all who knew her.

Rita attended St. James School, Oak Terrace School, and graduated from Highland Park High School. Over the years, she worked at various local businesses, including Woolworth Department Store at Edens Plaza, Lake Forest Hospital's Patient Accounting, and Ross Discount Store in Highland Park. She was known for her friendly nature and her commitment to her work, building lasting relationships with those she encountered.

In her personal life, Rita was an avid reader with a great love for literature. She was also a regular poker player at the Pierce Building, where she enjoyed the camaraderie and competition. Rita found joy in the simple pleasures of life, and her warmth and generosity will be remembered by those who knew her.

She is survived by her sister, Elaine Hagedorn of Gurnee, and two beloved grandsons, Phillip and Galen Grammar of Mt. Vernon, Indiana. Rita was preceded in death by her children, Lori Knoth (2020) and Kenneth Knoth (2001), as well as her sister, Diane Cabri.

Funeral services for Rita will be private, with interment at Ascension Cemetery in Libertyville, Illinois. While Rita’s passing leaves a deep void in the hearts of her family and friends, her memory will live on through the love she shared and the moments they will forever treasure.

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