Rica Lee Kanzinger

Rica Lee Kanzinger, age 73, of Floyds Knobs, Indiana, passed away unexpectedly the morning of September 14, 2022. Rica was born in Louisville, Kentucky to Norma Lee Beasey and Kenneth Allen Whittaker on July 14, 1949. She graduated from Shelbyville High School (Class of 1967), and recently celebrated her 55th high school reunion. After graduating from Western Kentucky University, Rica married Robert Kanzinger, and they had two children, Ross Kanzinger (Carmel, Indiana) and Robin Ballard (Floyds Knobs, Indiana). She worked for Louisville Manufacturing Company for over 25 years as an accountant, followed by over 20 years at AST Industrial as their accounting manager and controller. Rica’s most fulfilling job, however, was being a mother to Ross and Robin and a doting “Granny” to her 6 grandchildren, Ethan (9), Lainey (7), Kaylee(7), Eli (5), Cole (2) and Ruth (1). After nearly a decade of “strong encouragement” from her family and friends, Rica finally retired in 2020. She spent the last two years attending concerts and events with her companion David Fellows and enjoying her grandchildren. She loved being outside and gardening, the beach, and was a Purdue Boilermaker at heart thanks to her children. She enjoyed going out for ice cream, eating lemons (peel and all!), spoiling her grandchildren with endless treats, and decorating for holidays and other family celebrations. Most of all, she loved being with people. Rica had an uncanny ability to find connections with strangers and had a knack for remembering names and important details about people…she never met a stranger. She will be remembered for her selfless nature (sometimes to her own detriment) and always, always putting her family first. Rica was preceded in death by Kenneth “Kenny” (Mary) Whittaker and Dewey Beasey. She is survived by her mother, Norma “Nana” Beasey; children, Ross Kanzinger (Courtney) and Robin Ballard (Lance); grandchildren, Ethan (9), Lainey (7), Kaylee(7), Eli (5), Cole (2) and Ruth (1); as well as siblings, Charlene (Steve) Shade, Mark (Lynn) Whittaker, Jon (Sarah) Beasey, Matthew (Kris) Beasey and Bill Beasey, plus numerous nieces and nephews, and great nieces and great nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you consider making a donation to A Place to Sleep (https://www.aplacetosleepministry.org), a nonprofit founded by her great niece Jessica Collins that has been providing beds and bedding to children in need in the Kentuckiana area for over a decade. Visitation for Rica will be held Sunday, September 18, 2022 from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Kraft Funeral Service, 708 East Spring Street, New Albany, Indiana 47150. A funeral service to celebrate her life will be Monday, September 19, 2022 at 10:00 AM, at the funeral home with burial to follow in Evergreen Cemetery. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.kraftfuneralservice.net for the Kanzinger family.