Rita MATELA

21 MAR 1931 - 11 FEB 2018

• BIRTH: 21 MAR 1931, South Bend, IN
• DEATH: 11 FEB 2018, Mount Pleasant, WI

INDEX

[N18734] Rita M. Smith
March 21, 1931 - Feb. 11, 2018
RACINE, IN - Rita M. Smith, 86, passed away on Sunday, February 11, 2018 in Mount Pleasant, WI with her family by her side. Rita was born March 21, 1931 in South Bend to the late John and Helen (Matela) Wegner. She was also preceded in death by her husband, H. Rance Smith; son, Michael Kazmirski; daughter, Kelly Smith; and sisters, Sylvia Barta, and Delores Scherer. Rita is survived by her children, David (Janet) Kazmirski of Austin, TX, Mary (Gary) Laffin of Racine, WI, Cynthia (Joseph) Biernacki of LaPorte, IN, Brian (Cathy Dyer-Smith) Smith of Clarksville, TN, and Dale (Chez) Smith of LaPorte, IN; 12 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; brother, Richard (Maryann) Wegner; and a sister, Betty Jane (Tom) Cutter. Rita had an unwavering faith in God. She loved her family with all her heart and soul, and was a very good and loyal friend. She had a great sense of humor that always kept us laughing. Rita was a football fanatic; her absolute favorite team was Notre Dame. She was an avid reader and enjoyed ceramics, traveling, playing Yahtzee, and shopping for purses. She loved to camp and go fishing. Her beautiful smile and kind, loving heart will be greatly missed. Visitation for Rita will be 12:00 pm to 2:45 pm, Saturday, February 17, 2018 in ST. JOSEPH FUNERAL HOME, 824 S. Mayflower Rd. A Rosary will be prayed at 2:45 pm. The Funeral Service will begin at 3:00 pm. Condolences for the family may be made at www.sjfh.net. Published in South Bend Tribune on Feb. 15, 2018