Obituary: Rita Gemignani

As received from the Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home:

Rita C. Gemignani, 91, a resident of Tamarack Location in Calumet passed away on March 6, 2024, at Aspirus Hospital.  She was born on January 21, 1933, in Concord, New Hampshire.  Rita graduated from Calumet High School in 1951 and studied at Michigan Technological University.  She married Alfred Cinelli in 1953 and later Michael Gemignani in 1980. 

She was preceded in death by her husbands Alfred (2005) and Michael (2014), her parents Herve Dube and Mayme (Arola) Johnson, sisters Janet Dube and Joan Schutte, and brothers David Dube and William Dube.  She is survived by her children, Mark Cinelli of Calumet, Laura (Russ) Erkkila of Calumet, Karen DeSplinter of Indianapolis, IN, Kevin (Amy) Cinelli of Allouez, and Steven (Kristine) Cinelli of Palmer, AK, as well as stepson David (Lois) Gemignani of Hancock.  Rita is also survived by her sister Elaine Alatalo of Lake Linden, brothers James Dube of Allouez, and Edward (Kim) Dube of Kenosha, WI.  Surviving grandchildren include Kara Solmonson of Bedford, TX, Cole Solmonson of Calumet, April (DeSplinter) Johnson of Oak Harbor, WA, Kyle Cinelli of Ahmeek, Ethan Cinelli of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, and Gwenyth Cinelli of Friendswood, TX.  Other survivors include great grandson Mykah Ralls of Bedford, TX, and one special nephew, David Sandretto of Calumet and Irvine, CA, and several other nieces and nephews.

At the request of the deceased, Rita’s remains will laid to rest with her late loving husband, Michael.  According to Rita’s wishes there was no public funeral.  Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the Department of Chemistry at Michigan Technological University.