Rita Jean Perkins Vail, age 85 of Beaver Dam, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Friday, December 18, 2015 at Prairie Ridge Assisted Living in Beaver Dam.

Rita was born on February 7, 1930 in New Rochelle, New York to William Kenneth and Gladys (Moore) Perkins.  She graduated from Roycemore High School in Evanston, IL. On December 21, 1947, she was united in marriage to Jesse Aaron Vail II in Evanston, IL.  A Beaver Dam resident for over 30 years, Rita enjoyed working in assisted living facilities, cooking, baking, reading and traveling with her husband to follow their favorite football teams.  She also enjoyed spending time with family at the family cottage in Door County.  She was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and will be deeply missed.

Rita is survived by her four children, Kenneth (Sandra) Vail Sr. of Saline, MI, Jesse Aaron Vail III of Beaver Dam, Mark (Carmella) Vail of Ooltewah, TN, Debbie (Mario) Jimenez of Justice, IL; grandchildren, Samuel (Stephanie) Vail, Kenneth C. Vail Jr., Mason Vail, Chandler (Anastazia) Vail, Nolan Vail, Justin Rahl; great-grandchildren, Remy and Poesy Vail and further survived by other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jesse in 2003 and a daughter, Vicki Rahl in 2007, along with other relatives.

A Memorial Gathering will be held on Tuesday, March 29, 2016 from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the Memorial Service at 10:30 a.m. at Cornerstone with inurnment to follow on Wednesday, March 30, 2016 on the family plot at Bellefontaine Cemetery in St. Louis, MO.

Memorials in Rita's name may be directed to Hillside Hospice of Beaver Dam.

Jay and the family would like to express a heartfelt thank you to the staff and residents of Prairie Ridge for their loving care and support not only shown to Rita, but also to the family.