Rita M Craker

Rita Mae Craker of Dallas died March 2 at a Mesquite care facility after a long illness. She was 90. Born in La Crosse, Wisconsin, on May 22, 1924, to Joseph and Catherine Sullivan, Rita grew up on a farm with nine siblings in Allamakee County, Iowa. She married Glenn Everette "Bill" Craker on December 30, 1943, and settled in Dallas after his military service in World War II. They raised seven children in the Casa View neighborhood, where she resided for over 60 years. Known as "Nana" to the grandchildren and great-grandchildren she doted on, Rita was the beloved matriarch of a family of seven children, 16 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren, most of whom reside in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Rita was a longtime employee of Texas Instruments and a member of the Catholic faith. Her grandfather William Randolf Sullivan emigrated from Ireland in 1851. She is survived by her daughters Gail Cadenhead, Donna Cargle, Kay McMinimy and Pam Metcalfe; her sons Paul Craker and Bob Craker; her grandchildren Rogers Cadenhead, Kelly Reber, Chad Cadenhead, Christy Cargle, Jennifer Cargle, Craig McMinimy, Amy McMinimy, Brent McMinimy, Dustin Metcalfe, Alex Craker, Nick Craker, Heath Craker, Kelsey Craker, Troy Sim and Laura Blair; and her great-grandchildren Max Cadenhead, Eli Cadenhead, Sam Cadenhead, Bryce Reber, Brody Reber, Maclane Cadenhead, Campbell Cadenhead, Cooper Cadenhead, Hope Cargle, Landon McMinimy, Harrison McMinimy, Fin McMinimy, Charleston McMinimy, Layne Burden, Avery Burden, Angelia Sim, Natalia Sim, Tyler Sim, Ryley Blair, Duncan Blair, Baylee Blair and Logan Blair. She was preceded in death by Bill Craker, her son George Craker and his infant daughter Melanie. A Memorial Service will be held in her honor at Calvary Hill Funeral Home on Sunday, March 22, 2015.