Rita Buenting

RANTOUL - Rita J. Buenting, 87, of Rantoul went to be with the Lord on Sunday (July 20, 2025) in Monticello.

She was born in Rossville on July 11, 1938, the daughter of Joseph and Margie Clementz. On Feb. 20, 1957, Rita married the love of her life, Vernon "Pete" Buenting, and they spent 65 wonderful years together until his passing on Aug. 11, 2022.

Rita was also preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Margie; son Jeffrey Buenting; and sisters Mary Alford and Pat Cain.

She is survived by her sons Gary (Linda) Buenting of Decatur and Kenneth (Julie) Buenting of Champaign; grandchildren, Danielle (Joe) Lammert of St. Louis, Elizabeth (Joey) Rotz of Decatur, Hannah (Aaron) Batchelder of Decatur, Kailey (Jacob) Blasingame of Monticello and Conner Buenting of Peoria; and great-grandchildren, Lillian and Zoey Rotz and Jace Blasingame. She is also survived by her sisters Barb Quinlan of Rantoul and Nancy Clementz/Behimer of Carbondale; and brother, Charles Clementz of Urbana.

As a member of the American Lutheran Church in Rantoul, Rita loved the Lord and her family. Church was always a priority, followed only by time spent with her family. She enjoyed watching her grandkids and was always sure of attending all of their activities, regardless of travel.

Rita also loved to bake cookies, pies, cakes, Christmas cutouts and her specialty oatmeal cake with peanut-butter icing, known as "Jesus Cake," which was a fan favorite among all of the kids and grandkids.

Rita was a stay-at-home mom and babysat many of the children in town along with her beloved grandchildren. Her nurturing spirit extended beyond her family as she dedicated countless hours as a volunteer at the Bethany Park clothing center in Rantoul.

Rita was an avid walker, averaging 5 to 9 miles a day. She enjoyed staying active through various exercise classes at the Rantoul Forum. She also liked having coffee with her friends from class during the week, as well as Saturday morning coffee with her sisters.

A celebration of life service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 26, at the American Lutheran Church, 500 Church St., Rantoul, with Pastor Aaron Dawson officiating. Burial will follow in Huls Cemetery, Gifford. Visitation will be held before the service from 9 to 10 a.m. at the Church.

Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center's Lux Chapel, 1551 E. Grove Ave., Rantoul has been entrusted with handling the arrangements.

Memorial donations may be made in Rita's name to the Bethany Park Clothing Center.

Please join Rita's family in sharing memories, photos and videos on her tribute wall at sunsetfuneralhome.com.