Rita C. Smith, 84, Pulaski, passed away peacefully, Tuesday, May 2, 2023, at Good Shepherd Nursing Home in Seymour. The daughter of John and Lucille (Januchowski) Holewinski was born at home on December 19, 1938.
Rita grew up in the Hofa Park area and graduated from Pulaski High School with the class of 1956. On August 23, 1958, she married Leon Smith at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Hofa Park. The couple farmed in Hofa Park for many years. In her younger years Rita worked at the Printery in Pulaski and often helped the cooks at Hofa Park for weddings.
Rita was a lifelong member of St. Stanislaus Parish. She was a wonderful homemaker and made the best omelets, chili, and baked chicken. Rita loved to attend polka dances with Leon and listen to polka music. She also loved gardening; you’d be hard pressed to find a weed in her garden. Most of all she loved spending time with her family, especially her grandsons and great-grandsons.
Survivors include her loving husband of over 64 years, Leon, Hofa Park; daughter, Renee (Terry) Fleming, Hofa Park; two grandsons: Dylan (Courtney) Fleming, Appleton, and Michael (Marissa) Fleming, New Richmond; two great-grandsons, Brayden and Grayson; her siblings: Rose Marie Mastey, Donald Holewinski, Diane (Robert) Paulick, Ken (Diane) Holewinski, and Gary (Connie) Holewinski; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
In addition to her parents, John and Lucille, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Michelle Smith; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Michael and Irene Smith; a brother-in-law, Leonard Mastey; and a sister-in-law, Carol Holewinski.
Friends are invited to gather with family at St. Stanislaus Church, W1888 Hofa Park Rd., Seymour, on Monday, May 8, from 9-11 a.m. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. with Fr. James Esser, O.F.M. presiding and Fr. James Gannon, O.F.M. concelebrating. Interment will follow in the parish cemetery.
The family respectfully asks that no flowers be sent. They would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff at Good Shepherd Nursing Home and to the Unity Hospice Team for their compassionate care.
Online condolences may be offered to the Smith family at www.marnochafuneralhome.com or on the Marnocha Funeral Home Facebook page.