Rita Ann Kerstiens

Rita Kerstiens died peacefully on Sunday, May 17, 2026, in Bellingham, WA, where she moved after living her entire life in Toledo, Ohio. She cherished her time there with family and friends but moved to be closer to her children and grandsons. She was born on July 30, 1950, attended St. Vincent de Paul Grade School in north Toledo, and was a member of the great Class of ’68 at Central Catholic High School. After graduation, she moved to Memphis, TN, to attend Siena College and Christian Brothers University, where she met her husband, Larry, to whom she was married for 54 years. She graduated in three and a half years and was certified to teach elementary school and high school English and history. She returned to Toledo in December 1971, where she taught English at her alma mater.

In 1972, she was hired by St. Clement School, teaching fourth through eighth grades. She also volunteered in the evenings, teaching at a group home for juvenile delinquent boys after their release from jail. In 1979, she was hired by the Lucas County Educational Service Center to teach remedial reading and math, which she did for 26 years. After retiring, she returned to work part-time at Regina Coeli School for another four years, teaching Title I reading and math. She then volunteered at Dorr School in Toledo and in Washington schools. She loved teaching and her students and felt blessed to be given the opportunity to help students learn. She even volunteered at Gesu and CCHS schools, where her daughter and son attended.

She loved traveling and planning trips for friends, herself, and her husband. She completed her bucket list of visiting all 50 states, about 30 national parks, Europe, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. As an educator, she loved reading, especially to her grandchildren. She loved learning new things every day. Her first love was being with her beautiful family, whom she cherished with every breath.

She was a member of the State Teachers’ Association of Ohio, the Toledo Zoo, Friends of the Library, National Park Foundation, Bellingham Senior Center, Toledo Botanical Gardens, and Sacred Heart Church in Bellingham, WA. Before moving to Washington, she was a member of St. Vincent de Paul, Gesu, and St. Joan of Arc parishes.

Preceding Rita in death were her loving parents, Glenn and Stella Rogers; and her precious daughter and grandson, Tanya and Benton Rowe.

Survivors include her loving husband, Larry; son, Brad (Holly); grandson, Alden Kerstiens; brother, Ron (Claudia) Rogers; brother and sister-in-law, Mike and Nancy Kerstiens; nephew, Mike Kerstiens; and aunt, Lottie Czekaj.

A vigil prayer service will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 20, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church (1110 14th St, Bellingham). A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 21, at Sacred Heart Church. A reception will follow at the church. According to her wishes, she will be cremated and placed with Tanya and Benton at Bayview Cemetery during a private family service. A memorial service will also be arranged in Toledo, OH, at a future date.

Donations may be made to Hospice of Northwest Ohio in Perrysburg, Ohio; Susan G. Komen Foundation; Central Catholic High School (2550 Cherry St., Toledo, Ohio 43608); Sacred Heart Church in Bellingham; Assumption School or Assumption Church; or a charity of your choice.