Rita Andrew

Rita Kaethe Andrew, 72, of Schonau-Mannheim Germany, died peacefully on November 8, 2018 at Thomas Hospital Fairhope, AL, after a long, courageous and hard fought battle. She was a true warrior and fought a brave fight. Her husband, Darry was there by her side, holding her hand and kissing her until the very end. Rita was born in Schonau-Mannheim on June 4, 1946.  Her mother, Inge, along with father, Friedrich “Fritz” Hussong, raised her and her younger brother, Wolfgang, in the same 1-bedroom apartment Inge continued to live in over the next 50 years. Rita met the love of her life in February of 1963 while he was serving in the Army and stationed at Coleman Barracks. It only took one dance. They were married on August 3, 1963, then moved to Savanna, IL to start their new life together.  They later moved to Germany where they spent the next 27 years working, raising their family and living their best life in Europe.  One of Rita’s many accomplishments after teaching herself English was to study for and pass the test for an American GED. She preached education to her children and she wanted them to see anything can be accomplished. She then went on to become an office manager at the Benjamin Franklin Village housing office. Family was always first and foremost to Rita. She was a loving, loyal wife and mother to her husband and 3 children Angie, Ricky and Nicole. They were her entire world and she fiercely loved, protected and guided them. She was an amazing cook and, alongside her husband, helped create a coaching and family legacy at Mannheim High School.  Rita never missed a game, be it football, basketball or soccer, and every player ever coached became part of the Andrew Family. Rita also became a big sister a second time around when she found her biological father, Miguel Bermudez, 3 brothers and 5 sisters in Puerto Rico and 2 brothers in Panama. She knew they were the missing puzzle piece in her life and loved them unconditionally. Later, as her 15 grandbabies began to arrive one by one, Rita wore being an “Oma” well.  She loved them unconditionally and believed in every single one of them, offering advice, moral support or just a hug as needed. She made each of them feel unique and special. Darry always says Rita never met a stranger and besides spending time with family and friends, Rita enjoyed traveling, dancing, sharing stories and living her life to the fullest. She always wore a smile, was the most positive person and had a way of taking the negatives life threw her way and turning them into positives. Rita was the sunshine in our lives, she was our shining light and we will keep her light shining in each of us. She is survived by Darry, her husband of 56 years; children, Angela (Tom) Pritchett of Galena, IL, Ricky (Mitzi) Andrew of Daphne, AL, Nicole Angel of Wiesbaden, Germany, 15 Grandchildren, 5 Great-grandchildren, and her Puerto Rican brothers and sisters. She is preceded in death by her parents and brother, Wolfgang Hussong. The family gives special thanks to all the doctors and nurses at Thomas Hospital and the Kindred Care staff for the tender and kind way they treated and loved Rita. They will all hold a special place in our hearts.   ARRANGEMENTS BY WOLFE-BAYVIEW FUNERAL HOMES & CREMATORY, INC. 19698 GREENO RD FAIRHOPE, AL 36532 (251) 990-7775