Carole J. Rintala

At rest on September 9, 2007 at Cedar Ridge Inn, Farmington, NM. God took Carole Jean Rintala, age 66, to her heavenly home peacefully after thirteen years of painful suffering from peripheral vascular disease/strokes/lung cancer.

Carole is survived by her mother Bertha Rintala of Crystal Falls; brother Roy (Roxanne) Rintala in WI; aunts Signe Blonshine in ID and Irma Rintala also in MI; niece Janine; nephews Brad, David, and Ron Rintala. There are no surviving uncles, but many cousins in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Her long time friend Dianne Planing and mother Clara Planing along with Dianne's family--boyfriend Chris Urioste, Jan & Jerry Cross; goddaughter Kim Wood; aunt Loretta Wojtak, and other friends and relatives also mourn her passing.

Carole was preceded in death by her father Werner Rintala (1976) and brother James Rintala (1982).

Carole was born in Crystal Falls, MI on September 13, 1940. She lived in Joliet for several years--working at Deaton-Kennedy Company, Folger Adam, and the last 10 years until 1991 at Silver Cross Hospital Maintenance Department Stock Room Inventory Control. She moved with her roommate Dianne Planing from Joliet, IL in 1991 to become a lay missionary/librarian at St. Bonaventure Indian Missions and School. She enjoyed helping the children read on the Eastern Navajo Reservation in Thoreau, NM. She moved to Farmington, NM in 1995 after her first stroke and lived there until her second stroke on July 17, 2007 with her roommate/caregiver Dianne Planing. Many friends helped during her illness--Fran & Cliff Perrin, Janel Jukich, Joshua Rebrovich, Debra and Robbie Grady and family.

Carole enjoyed singing, playing guitar, country music, spaghetti westerns, deceased dog friends Trixie & Chipper, cooking, spiritual reading, sightseeing, playing basketball, softball, eating a good Italian pizza with beer, Merichka's poorboy, roskies, Stefanich's fried chicken, etc....before she lost most of her sight and taste and was homebound since 1994. A special highlight for her was when she met Mother Angelica in person in Irondale, AL and her conversion to Catholicism with Father Ross in 1989. Carole always enjoyed helping others so her lay missionary work was important to her. She was a quiet person who worked hard and kept everything neat, clean, and organized. Life was a struggle for her, but she was a very independent woman. People who knew her at the end of her journey marveled at her sense of humor in spite enduring excruciating burning stomach pain. Her quick wit kept you on your toes! May she be enjoying her heavenly reward with a strong body again and freedom from her earthly pain! She was a faithful servant!

A chapel service will be held at the Funeral Home, on Friday, September 14, 2007 at 11:00 AM with Fr. Ross officiating. Interment will be held at Mount Olivet Cemetery. Visitation will be on Friday from 9:00 AM until the time of the service.