Rita Rodriguez

Rita Rodriguez
Born: April 16, 1970
Died: April 30, 2023
Rita Jewel Rodriguez, 53, of DePue, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, April 30, 2023, at St. Margaret's Health in Spring Valley. Her family is proud that she will be able to help others as a tissue donor through Gift of Hope.
A rosary and prayer service for Rita will begin at 6:30 PM, Friday, May 5, at the Barto Funeral Home, Spring Valley. The visitation for Rita will be held Friday, at the funeral home, from 4:00 PM until 6:30 PM. Cremation has been accorded.
Rita was born on April 16, 1970, in Winston-Salem, NC to Richard J. and Elizabeth (Fain) Biagioni. She married Michael E. Rodriguez in a civil ceremony at the DePue American Legion on September 28, 1996. They later renewed their vows at St. Mary's Catholic Church in DePue in October of 2009.
Rita was primarily a homemaker, caring for her children, but she had numerous jobs throughout the years. She loved her job and all of her co-workers at Kohl's in Peru, where she had worked most recently in sales in the jewelry department. Rita had helped coach with the DePue Youth Soccer team. She never missed her son's sporting events and was always his biggest fan. She experienced the life of a truck driver by traveling with her husband Mike throughout the Midwest. She loved all animals and had a deep passion for them. She also enjoyed decorating for the holiday with her Christmas house collection. She loved the music of Volbeat (a Danish rock band) and Elvis and was thrilled to be able to visit Memphis and Graceland. However, her children were the center of her world. She was a loving and wonderful mother who opened her heart to everyone. She lived for her children and kept her family close, as that was most important.
Survivors include her husband, Michael E. Rodriguez, of DePue; her children, Conchetta Rodriguez and Michael R. (Brenna) Rodriguez, both of Orlando, FL; her aunt, Joann Norris of Morris, IL; her brothers, Randy (Lori) Biagioni of Colorado and Albert Biagioni of South Carolina; her mother-in-law, Ann Rodriguez of DePue; brother-in-law, Brian Rodriguez of Peru; sister-in-law, Carmela (Victor) Rodriguez of Hennepin; her niece, along with many nephews and cousins; and of course, her many fur babies.
Rita was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter in infancy; her father-in-law, Michael B. Rodriguez; and numerous fur babies throughout her life.
Memorial donations in Rita's name may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund or to ASPCA (American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals).
A guestbook may be signed, and memories shared with the family by visiting bartofh.com.