Rita Rae Sternal

1936 - 2023

Rita Rae Sternal

July 17, 1936 – September 16, 2023

ALBANY - Rita R. Sternal, 87, of Albany, passed away in loving arms of family at the Samaritan Evergreen Hospice House.

The daughter of Hugh and Harriet (Wille) Fergerson, she was born in St. Joseph, Missouri. She married her first husband, Ronald Sisler Sr. on November 12, 1955. She is preceded by Arthur Sternal whom she married on May 22, 1970, in Burbank, CA.

Rita is survived by her son Ronald Jr. Sisler and his wife Karen; daughters, Rene' and her husband, Michael Bittle, Amy and her husband Fabian Ruiz, Alice, and her husband, John Montgomery; eleven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

While she leaves behind a large close-knit family, she also leaves behind hundreds of people who she had loyally served as a Sunday school teacher at North Albany Community Church. She was first and foremost a fierce follower of Jesus and spoke constantly of her excitement to be with him as she is now.

Rita was a baker of cinnamon rolls, snickerdoodle cookies, and carrot cakes, but none more famous than her flakey pie crust to which she would fill at the request of anyone she loved.

Rita had many interests that included sewing, reading, gardening, canning, hosting family events and having lunch with her friends, but for her, nothing compared to doting on her grandchildren.

Above all, Rita demonstrated what it meant to love fiercely, cherish the here and now, worship and serve God. She will be deeply missed by her family. Her absence will be felt by many.

A memorial service will be held at North Albany Community Church on Saturday the 23 at 11:00 AM with a good meal to follow. Flowers may be donated to the 1273 NW West Thornton Lake Dr, Albany, OR 97321. Or, if you choose to donate in leu of flowers, these two organizations were important to Rita. www.hurumahope.org/ and www.ABCHouse.org.