Maria Louise Rising Our Beloved Maria Louise Rising, 66, of Tipton, California entered the Kingdom of Heaven to be with her Lord on September 2, 2014. She was born in New Haven, Connecticut to Philip and Carmela Diana on July 9, 1948. At the age of 15 Maria moved to California with her family and settled in the Los Angeles area. Maria graduated in 1966 from Culver City High School. In 1975 she married Ronnie Rising and together they raised 3 children, Sheryl, Ronnie Jr. and Jonathan. During her early years of marriage Maria enjoyed playing Slow Pitch Softball on the Rising Family Team. She loved spending time with her family which she truly treasured. One of Maria's greatest joys was watching her children and grandchildren work their 4-H projects on the ranch and play their sports. She was a great chef in her kitchen and loved preparing feasts for her family…especially on holidays. Maria always said her greatest gift on this earth was her family, whom she showered with Love all the days of her life. In 2013 Maria retired from the International Agri-Center/World Expo after 24 years of dedicated service as a space sales coordinator. During that time Maria touched many hearts and developed everlasting relationships here and abroad. Anyone who knew Maria knew her to be a wonderful, loving, funny, happy, witty, giving person, never expecting anything in return. She will never be forgotten, but she will be sorely missed by everyone who knew her. In addition to her husband Ronnie, she is survived by her brother Robert Diana; three children: daughter Sheryl Rising and boyfriend Chris Alves of Tipton, son Ronnie Rising and wife Brianne of Tulare and Jonathan Rising and wife Karre of Tulare; five precious grandchildren: Emily, Jonathan, Jackson, Cooper and Skyler, all of Tulare. She will be greatly missed by her brother and sister-in-laws, nieces and nephews. Maria was preceded in death and greeted at the Gates of Heaven by her father and mother, Philip and Carmela Diana; brother Philip Diana; father-in-law and mother-in-law, George "Pee Wee" and Leona Rising; sister-in-law Kaye Ramos and nephew Justin Rising. Graveside memorial services will be at 10 am, Tuesday, September 9, 2014 at Woodville District Cemetery, 17203 Avenue 168, Woodville. There will be a reception immediately following at the International Agri-Center, 4500 S. Laspina St., Tulare. Arrangements by Peers Lorentzen Funeral Service.

Published in Visalia Times-Delta and Tulare Adv-Register on Sept. 4, 2014