Rita Wilhelmi Gould

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Rita Wilhelmi Gould

Age 87, while surrounded by family, passed away peacefully in her Los Altos home on July 17. Born August 17, 1918 in Joliet, Illinois, she was eldest of five children of Cilia Freis Wilhelmi and Fred Wilhelmi. Rita is survived by her three children Beverly, Robin, Rick, seven grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. After the death of her beloved husband of 60 years, in January of 1998, she was lovingly assisted by her family and Mr. Marty Natadra. After being swept off her feet by a young airman from Hydesville California, she was married to Dallas Cooper Gould on May 20, 1937. They moved to Alton California to start a dairy, but were soon called to at the start of World War II. Life in the Navy necessitated regular cross-country moves until they settled in Los Altos in 1954. Rita was one of the early members of the Los Altos Women's Club and Assistance League. She was an award-winning flower arranger who also enjoyed gardening and painting. Rita greatly loved hosting parties of all kinds, especially family get-togethers. Since 1970, Rita and Cooper's home was the central focus of family gatherings and she will be greatly missed. Friends are invited to attend Vigil Services Wednesday, July 19, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. at the Los Altos Chapel of Spangler Mortuaries, 399 So San Antonio Rd., Los Altos. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, July 20, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. at Saint William Catholic Church, 611 S. El Monte, Los Altos with interment following at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Los Altos.