Loretta A. VandeRiet

Loretta A. VandeRiet, 78, of Belleville, Ill., born June 19, 1939, passed away Sunday, September 10, 2017, in Belleville, Ill.

At a young age Loretta had to overcome many hardships. As a young child, she and her siblings were in the care of an orphanage in Belleville. When she was sixteen she met Leroy VandeRiet, this man would become her dear husband. Together they raised seven children until Leroy''s untimely death, leaving her a widow at such a young age. His passing did not deter her strength and courage in the following years. Not only was she "tough", she was kind, honest and always displayed integrity. These are the qualities she instilled in her children. Loretta was a caring homemaker that always put her family first and especially loved the time she was able to spend with her grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband Leroy VandeRiet; her sons, Dennis VandeRiet, Mark VandeRiet; her mother, Mildred Powell; her son-in-law, Mark Lees; her brothers, Lloyd Powell, Forrest Powell, Leonard Powell; her sister, Rosemary Powell.

She is survived by her children, Daniel (Brenda) VandeRiet of Collinsville, Ill., Barbara (Danny) Cole of Jasper, Al., Michael VandeRiet of Mexico, Mo., Kathy (Kevin) Nesbit of Chester, Ill., Linda Lees of Fort Pierce, Fl.; her sister, Vern Smith of Mo.; her brother, Joe Powell of Ill.

Memorial contributions in memory of Loretta may be made to ALS Association and can be received at the funeral home. Condolences to the family can be expressed through this online guestbook.

Visitation: Friends may gather and visit with the family 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 19, 2017 at the Herr Funeral Home, Collinsville, Ill.

Funeral: Funeral Services for Loretta will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 19, 2017, at the funeral home. Burial will follow at St. Joseph''s Catholic Cemetery, Freeburg, Ill.

Herr Funeral Home