Rita Delores Reinikka, September 14, 1928 — January 13, 2019

Rita’s Obituary Long time Alaska Resident Rita Delores Reinikka, 90 died Sunday January 13, 2019 at Providence Hospital with her family at her side. A mass of Christian burial will be held at 2 pm Sunday January 20, 2019 at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 2901 Huffman Road. There will be a celebration of life and burial in summer.

Details to follow. Mrs. Reinikka was born September 14, 1928, in Concordia, Kansas. In 1944, she moved across the United States, through Canada, finally settling in Anchorage, Alaska.

Once settled, she worked various jobs on Elmendorf Air force base, where she met the love of her life; her husband of 51 years, Eino Arthur Reinikka. Her passion was creating a loving home, raising her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. As a homemaker, she enjoyed cooking and baking, sewing, quilting, embroidering and knitting.

Mrs. Reinikka attended Holy Family Cathedral and was a member of the Finn Club and Pioneers of Alaska, Auxiliary #4. She volunteered for many years as a noon duty attendant at Denali Elementary. She embraced technology and had a strong presence on social media.

She enjoyed traveling and spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren and took on the role of grandma to all who met her. Her family said, “We will best remember her for her sweet but sassy personality and the fact that she never met a dessert she didnt like! Her love of family and the lessons she taught us will be remembered and cherished forever.

She was the proud matriarch of her family and taught us to be a family forever”. Mrs. Reinikka is survived by her son Eric Reinikka, daughter Linda Plimpton; Granddaughters and Grandson-In-Laws Erica Draper, David Draper; Michelle Greiner, David Greiner, Erin Lynch, Gregory Lynch, Nicole Sweeney, Aaron Sweeney, Danielle Harrison and Duncan Harrison; Great Grandchildren, Katelyn Sweeney, Camryn Sweeney, Eric Lynch, Lauryn Greiner, Landon Greiner, Jack Lynch, Sadie Harrison, Ellasyn Greiner and Shayla Harrison. Her siblings Della Senz, Emma Jean Husa, Anna Marie Mesick and Bernard Gauthier.

She was preceded in death by her husband Eino A. Reinikka, parents Telesphore and Ruby Gauthier, son in law Michael Plimpton, brother Alfonse Gauthier, daughter in law Joanne Reinikka, brother Armand Gauthier, and sister Annette Gauthier. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Rita Reinikka’s name to the American Heart Association or the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation.

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