Rita Irene Kimble

Rita I. Kimble was born in the state of New York on Jan. 26, 1922. She raised her brother and three sisters because their mother passed away at an early age. Her great faith and musical talent kept her singing in the church choir along with her sister, Elaine. Her vocal and piano talents also led to Rita singing on the radio in New York during these years. These roots and strength carried her through life. She joined the Army where she met James O. Kimble. They were married in uniform on Dec. 11, 1943 in Pecos, Texas.
After an honorable discharge as a Corporal, AF WAC Detachment, they began their journey. Five children, James O. Kimble Jr., David B. Kimble, Deborah A. Kimble, William J. Kimble, and Cecelia M. Kimble, were blessed to have Jim and Rita as their parents.
Rita would "hold down the fort" while Jim went to work. She was a very giving person, with twinkling eyes. She would show up when least expected bringing presents or an arm full of groceries. In the early years, she would go without to save pennies until she had enough to buy her children a piece of candy or to take them to a matinee.
She was a fixture in the Garden Avenue community for 57 years where the neighbors were just like family. The neighborhood women would get together for coffee after their husbands went to work. They would knit, crochet, and help keep track of each others children. It was a time when you could stand out in the yard and call your children to dinner and they would come running from down the street. During this time, Rita worked in her father-in-law's vegetable stand where she developed an eye for a good watermelon, sweet corn, and a love for tomatoes.
Holidays at Gramma's house were always a celebration. She would decorate the house and have huge dinners and made sure everyone had enough to eat. She seemed to have a sixth sense; "Curt, get out of that refrigerator, you'll ruin your appetite."
In the springtime, she would go shopping for flowers to fill her yard. Her granddaughter, Bonnie, loved to plant and keep her flowerbeds weeded. Gramma always said her yard looked like an English Garden. She was so proud.
Every year she had to go to the fair. She had to have lemonade, a "real" corn dog, and to play Bingo. She would yell, "BINGO!" and if anyone said bingo when she needed just one more number, she would say "RATS" and pound her hand on the counter. Bingo was serious business. She also loved to play cards with her grandchildren Crystal Schleining, Jessie and Kurt Kimble. She was beginning to teach her great-granddaughter, Alex Murray, how to play crazy rummy.
She loved to travel. From Syracuse, New York to Alaska, she went to every gift shop she could find, bringing back presents for everyone. She fell in love with Alaska and spoke to everyone about her fantastic experiences. Whitewater rafting, walking on glaciers, speed boats, flying in helicopters, and train rides were just a few of her adventures. She wanted everyone to share the beautiful images she carried in her memory. She could pick out a perfect stranger and could carry on for hours getting to know the person, what they did, what brought them to this part of the country, and by the end of the conversation, she had made a friend.
Her granddaughter, Jessica Kimble, was a constant companion to her grandmother, cleaning the house and taking care of her everyday needs, and her Grandma Rita depended on her. Jessica would always be there at a moments notice whenever needed.
In Rita's final days, her granddaughter, Cassandra Pendill, who is a certified nursing assistant, along with Hospice, lovingly took care of her. We cannot thank Susan MacIntyre, Rebecca Olson, Carol Heath, and Jasmine Austin of Hospice enough for all their care and support. Rita was surrounded by her loved ones and she had the biggest smile on her face as she quietly passed away on Sunday, Aug. 13, 2006. Each of them hugged and kissed their mother and grandmother, not good-bye, but they will see her later. Those who were not around her were in her heart.
Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 24, at Smith's Downtown Chapel, 925 S. 27th, Billings. Rita's funeral service will begin at 3 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 25, at Smith's Downtown Chapel. Interment with military honors will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Memorials may be sent to the charity of choice.