Rita Marie (Varrato) Krieger, 94 formerly of Blairsville & Ligonier, PA, passed away on June 8 2024 at the home of her youngest son, Kris and wife, Amy whom she had been living with the past 4 years.
She was born September 14, 1929 the daughter of the late Marie (Dunegan) Varrato and Umberto Robert Varrato.
She was also preceded in death by her siblings, Joanne Burnett and Jim Varrato & wife, LaVerne.
Rita graduated from SS Simon & Jude Grade School and Blairsville High School Class of 1947. She was a member of the SS Simon & Jude Church, Blairsville. She became an RN after graduating from Conemaugh Valley School of Nursing in 1951. She first worked as an RN at summer camps for Special needs children: Camp Easter Seals, Camp Daddy Allen, and Camp Sunnyside. She also worked in the OR at Memorial Hospital in Johnstown, A psych nurse at Torrance State Hospital, and she finished her career working as a private duty nurse for Latrobe Area Hospital. Her entire life was dedicated to her family. She loved us all with fierce devotion. Her passion was cooking for us and we all looked forward to her special lasagna on our beach vacations, holidays and family gatherings. She was the owner of the Ligonier Tavern ’76 from 1976-1982. Rita was past president of Ligonier Valley Football Mothers, a Den Mother, Girl Scout Leader & member of school’s PTG. She wrote poems, short stories and books.
She is survived by her
daughter, Heidi McKay & husband Peter, Ligonier, PA;
sons: Wally “Rob” Krieger & wife, Gloria, Manassas, VA,
Eric Krieger & wife, Sue, Ft. Myers, FL,
Kurt Krieger & significant other, Carol Deluliis, York, PA,
Kary Krieger & wife, Mary Ellen, Jacksonville Beach, FL and
Kris Krieger & wife, Amy, Pottstown, PA. She is also survived by her 17 grandchildren: Braedy (Jen) McKay, Dunnegan (Ana Lisa Petrella fiancee), Molleigh (Todd) Thomas, Reilly McKay, Robby & Rosie Krieger, Erica Krieger, Mallory (Vishu) Bollampalli, Kamron, Jacob & Jenna Krieger, Konner, Allegra, Max & Killian Krieger and Kellar and Kyra Krieger and also 4 great grandchildren: Cameron McKay, Wilder & Daisy Thomas and Krish Bollampalli.
Services were private at Ferguson Funeral Home & Monument Company, Blairsville, PA along with interment at SS Simon & Jude Cemetery, Blairsville, Pennsylvania.
If so desired, memorial donations may be made in Rita’s name to Special Olympics, 2570 Blvd. of the Generals, Suite 124, Norristown, PA 19403 or Four Footed Friends, 220 Beck Road, Indiana, PA 15701.
www.fergusonblairsville.com
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