Schmitz, Rita Ellen (1934 – 2008)

SCHMITZ, GAUL, MADSEN, SMITH, MALONE

Posted By: Denise Wurner (email)
Date: 9/7/2013 at 18:35:20

Name of deceased: Rita Ellen Schmitz (nee Smith)

Aged: 74 yrs, 1 mo, 8 days

Residence: Portsmouth, IA

Born: Aug. 11, 1934, Panama, IA

Died: Sep. 19, 2008, at Jennie Edmundson Hospital, Council Bluffs, IA

Funeral services: Mass of Christian Burial: Wednesday, Sep. 24, 2008, St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Portsmouth, IA: celebrated by Rev. Paul Monahan and concelebrated by Rev. John Dorton. Burial was at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Portsmouth, IA.

Survived by: Husband of 54 years, Lester; children, Greg Schmitz (spouse, Barb) of Dallas, TX, Jim Schmitz (spouse, Alicia) of Pasadena, CA, Peg (spouse, Tim) Gaul of Ames, IA, and John Schmitz (spouse, Kim) of Iowa City, IA; grandchildren: Christine, Amy, Ben, Abby, Jacob, Aaron, Andrew, Isabella and Nicholas; great-grandchildren, Ava and Noah; sister, Marge (spouse, Ray) Madsen of Fort Collins, CO, sister-in-law, Onie Smith of Council Bluffs, IA; nieces and nephews; other family members, and friends

Predeceased by: Parents, John and Elizabeth (nee Malone) Smith; daughter, Susie; siblings, Jack, Bill, Michael and Mary Elizabeth

Education: attended St. Mary’s Catholic School in Portsmouth, IA and graduated with the Class of 1952.

Religious affiliation: baptized at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Panama, IA; received her First Communion and was confirmed at St. Mary’s in Portsmouth, IA. Rita was also active in the St. Mary’s Rosary Society and decorated the altar for holidays.

Military service: n/a

Marriage: Lester Schmitz; Nov. 24, 1953; St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Panama, IA

Employment: Rita worked at Mutual of Omaha before becoming a full-time homemaker

Hobbies/Interests: Rita was a devoted wife, loving mother, and fun-loving grandmother. She coached girls’ basketball and softball, and attended her children’s numerous school and athletic events. She taught CCD and volunteered at many school and parish events. Rita always wrote notes of encouragement to those going through hard times. She loved to garden, play cards, and spend time with her family.

Sources: ancestry.com, pauleyjones.com