Vanita K. Heil

Vanita Kathleen Heil

Born January 25, 1936. Baptized & Confirmed in the Lutheran Church, graduated Corder High & Married in Corder, Mo: Ascended to the Lord August 28, 2025

She leaves behind: Tanya White (daughter) & Carl White (Son-n-Law), Julia Kleeschulte & Ruth Cooper (Sisters). Preceding her in death by 12 days, Husband Dale Ray and first-born son, Brad by 13 years.

Mom was an accomplished well-respected secretary, which means she was a “behind the scenes” office manager. She started her career at Vita Craft of Kansas City in 1953. Took a 5 year hiatus in 1960 to birth Brad and me. Back to work at the original Immanual Lutheran School until 1980. She basically trained the principal to be principal (so I’ve been told). She retired from Ruskin High School around 2001. Dad & her attend most all homecoming dances with photos to prove it! So sweet. All her talents have made these walks to Heaven so much easier on me & Carl. Thanks Mom and Dad!

Vanita enjoyed flowers & plants and brought them inside during winter to keep them alive. She was the kitty cat’s provider, and she talked with them every feeding time. Taught me to cook, so yeah, she had the gift of grub. She was a great hostess. A good alto singer. We sang together in the Raytown Community Choir for several years. I followed her pitch because she was better than me. Looking back, I’m sad that I left home at 19 to become an adult or so I thought, because I missed out on day-to-day alone time with mom, like us girls like to do. But she was always available when I needed her advice or recipe.

A disciplined woman. Not in the sense of us kids, although she did do that, but for herself. She carried herself with poise. Most of the time you saw her she had lipstick on and bare make-up necessities. Her natural beauty didn’t need help. She was a girlie girl. Mama V, (as Carl so lovingly nicked named her) was the most beautiful lady. That smile went on for miles along with her hugs and kisses! Her demeanor was most humble, gracious & Classy. Remembrances like: Well, heaven is blessed with her being there. She warmed our space when she approached & we were so fortunate that she was in our lives. Her everyday kindness made the days wonderful & better.

Golly, Dad & Mom loved each other so much. There’s not a canvas large enough to display those moments in film. I wish I could have been her girlfriend back then. I’m jealous of all who were. Pictures captured the fun she was living. All the guys were drawn to her, and women became her trusted friend.

Dale was blessed for almost 69 years in marriage.

Behind every successful man is a great woman. That, my friends, was Tita.