RITA JEAN GREIVENKAMP nee Bock passed away Jan 7, 2025 at the age of 92. She was preceded in death by her husband John "Jack" Greivenkamp and her sons John Greivenkamp Jr. and an infant son Francis. She also was preceded in death by her brothers and sisters-in-law George (Delores) and Don (Mary) Bock.

She is survived by her children, Mike, Gary (Laura), Gregg (Barbara), Ted (Dianna) Greivenkamp, her "darling daughter" Jill (Kevin) Bouck and John's wife Kay Greivenkamp.

Her 16 grandchildren - Jake (Grace), Katie, Kyle (Krista), Kristie (Brian), Kurt (Jess), Brian, Dylan, Nicole, Brian (Emma), Hannah (Scott), Adam (Devin), Ashley, Emma, Spencer, Rachel and Kelly - and her 14 great grandchildren - Melanie, Jadon, Kenzie, Kara, Kohen, Kade, Princess Josie, Ava, Jake, Sophie, Madelynn, Isabelle, Holden and Caleb - were so very dear to her and brought her much joy.

Rita is also survived by 2 brothers, Thomas (Sandy) Bock and Alvin (Myrna) Bock, many nephews and nieces and her lifelong friend Marian Dorenkemper.

Rita, born July 13, 1932, was a depression era child. She carried that frugal lifestyle with her throughout her life. She walked up hill both ways to school and back, often in snow well over her head. Rita graduated with honors from Woodward High School. She married Jack Greivenkamp in 1952 after he returned from serving his country in the Korean war. They settled in Cheviot where they were blessed with 7 children. When the 3-bedroom house was too small they relocated to White Oak and become devoted members of St. James Parish.

Rita's goal in life was to be a mother and she found joy in all aspects of her life. Rita was devoted to her kids, teaching them manners, ethics, morals, a sense of humor, and of course doing their homework for them. She simply found delight in everything she did including attending every school and extracurricular function. If her children or grandchildren were involved, she was there and cheering the loudest. All who know her know she was always smiling. Her infectious happiness will be dearly missed. An accomplished seamstress, she made many clothes for her children. She especially enjoyed making First Communion dresses for her beloved granddaughters (and their dolls). She never found a craft she did not want to try.

After the passing of her husband, Rita went traveling with her pal Mary Mecklenborg, who also lost her husband around the same time. From a trip up the Nile, zip-lining through the Amazon, to cruising to faraway lands, Rita and Mary were the perfect traveling companions. Rita loved spending some winters at John and Kay's home in Tucson, Arizona

Rita was very religious and loved Christmas for exactly what it was. Her favorite decoration was the beautiful manger scene that she hand-painted. Her favorite expressions were "The Lord will provide" and "I am so blessed" and she believed these with all her heart.

Ritzy Rita was a member of The White Oak Red Hat Club. She was in several bridge clubs and volunteered at the YMCA.

Later in life dementia took over and she spent her remaining days at The Wellington at North Bend Crossing where she remained happy and resilient. Our family is indebted to her caregivers, especially for the care they provided in the last few months of her life.

A private Mass of Christian Burial that will be celebration of a life truly well lived will be held before Rita is laid to rest next to her dear husband.

Friends,

Please do not tell us that you are sorry for our loss.
Surely, we are saddened and will miss our mom.
None of us will survive life's journey.
Hers was a wonderous trip.

If you told little Rita Bock of depression era Clifton
All of the things she would do and see,
And of the family she would raise,
She'd have thought you were crazy.

So, tell us instead of the tidbits of her life we don't know,
The joy she brought you, or how proud she was of us.
Help us celebrate her life as she is greeted by
Dad, John, her parents, brothers and a host of others.