Claudette Rae Rhinerson

The matriarch of our family passed away peacefully on March 27, 2024, at North Kansas City Hospice House. Claudette was born 30 September 1934 in Shenandoah, lowa to Raymond L. Anderson and Dee Willa (Long) Anderson. 

Claudette was preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband Vilas Rhinerson, and stepson Trent Rhinerson (Renee). She was first married to Larry A. George, April 1954, and had two children by that marriage. She married Vilas B. Rhinerson in 1979. She is survived by her two children Douglas K. George (Laura) of Kansas City, Mo and Vickie A. (George) Sabin (Lance) of Port Angeles, WA, 3 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, 3 stepsons Timothy Rhinerson (Diane), Thomas Rhinerson (Karen), Ted Rhinerson (Diane), 12 step grandchildren, and 22 step great grandchildren.

Claudette grew up in St. Joseph, Mo and graduated from there in 1952. She was passionate about plays, was an avid reader, and enjoyed crossword puzzles. She was an accomplished reader and was the sole reader for the high school pageant her last three years there.

She was a grade school secretary for the NKC School District for many years early in her marriage. She then began a career with the federal government in Kansas City in December of 1974 working for the Department of Defense and the Department of Commerce. Claudette paved the way for women in the workforce during her career. She started in the lowest clerical position and paved that road all the way to becoming the first woman to achieve the title of Chief in the Department of Defense Subsistence Office Navy. She purchased and distributed fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables to military institutions not only in the Central US but worldwide as well. She also enjoyed being a volunteer at Maple Park Elementary for many years after her retirement from the federal government in 1998.

Claudette also went to clown school and performed as a clown called "Bunner." She did not normally like being the center of attention, but as soon as the clown makeup came on she loved to make a spectacle and was super ornery. She spent time showing her grandchildren how to put on clown makeup and that brought a huge smile to Bunner's face.

She had an immense love and cared for her entire family including husband, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren regular and step alike. She made and served jello salads proudly at each meal, making homemade noodles, and trying out many Betty Crocker recipes. During their years as grandparents Claudette and Vilas purchased a lake house at the Lake of the Ozarks which provided many, many memories of playing in the water, so much laughter, boat rides, slumber parties, dancing, and grandkids yelling "snake" to tease her. Spending time with family was always her favorite thing. We know that Claudette and Vilas are enjoying the best dance in heaven.

Services will be held at St. Stephen Lutheran Church in Liberty, Mo on Tuesday, April 02, at 11:00 AM, followed by graveside service at Terrace Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Lutheran Women's Memorial League St. Stephen Lutheran Church, 205 N Forest Avenue, liberty MO 64068.