Rita Marie (Michel) Rudolph

Rita M. (Michel) Rudolph, 87, of Sandusky, passed away peacefully early Wednesday evening, March 7, 2018, surrounded by her family in the Stein Hospice Care Center, Sandusky, after a brief illness.
   Born on August 29, 1930, In Sandusky, OH the daughter of Joseph Carl and Mabel Theresa (Biglin) Michel.  She was a 1948 graduate of St. Mary's High School.   In her earlier days, Rita had worked for a few years at Franketti's Restaurant and prior to that the Philco Company.   She was also a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, Sandusky.
  Once she married her husband, Joseph "Joe", on April 11, 1953,  her family was her life. She was the back bone of the family having supported her husband who had served 26 years in the U.S. Air Force.   She had her hands full with 4 daughters, who would all make her life more interesting, as they traveled all over the world and she would work on setting up a comfortable home for them.  Through out the years, while her husband served, she would volunteer at the Thrift Shop at the N. C. O. Wives Club and when her daughters were in school she also volunteered on the P.T.O. or any other functions or fund raiser that may need a helping hand.  She will be remembered by her family as being very active and a great organizer.  She loved being active setting up the yearly Michel Family Reunion, the Christmas Party or whatever activity that may arise that needed organization. She was a loving grandmother to all of her grandchildren, but she especially was like a second mother to her grandson, Matthew.  
   Rita is survived by four daughters, Michele "Mickey" (Rick) Harris of Corinth, TX, Jody (Peter, Jr.) Kearney of Sandusky, Linda (John Ryan) Forrider of Sandusky and Teri (Rob) Schwiefert of Norwalk; four grandchildren, Brandon J. Pohler, Preston W. Pohler, Matthew M. Forrider and Payton R. Kearney; five great-grandchildren; two sisters, Elaine (Bill) Harrington and Pat Wobser; and many nieces and nephews.
   She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 64 years, Joseph A. "Joe" Rudolph (July 30, 2017); two sisters, Helen McGuffin and Mary Graves; and two brothers, Richard and Eugene Michel.
  Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 11, 2018, from 4-7 pm at the David F. Koch Funeral and Cremation Services, 520 Columbus Avenue, Sandusky.  Prayers will be recited Monday morning, March 12, 2018, at 9:30 am at the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 am at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 429 Central avenue, Sandusky.  Fr. Jeff Walker officiating.  Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Sandusky.
   In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made in her memory to Stein Hospice Service, Inc., 1200 Sycamore Line, Sandusky, OH 44870 or to Meals on Wheels, c/o Senior Center, 620 E. Water Street, Sandusky, OH 44870.
   Your memories and words of comfort may be shared with Rita's family at davidfkoch.com.
 

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