Rita Smith
July 13, 1932 ~ December 17, 2020
Rita Smith, 88, of Lisbon, passed away Thursday, December 17, 2020, at home. Mass of Christian Burial: 11 a.m. Tuesday, December 22, 2020, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Mount Vernon, by Reverend Andrew Awotwe-Mensah. Visitation: 9-11 a.m. Tuesday at the church. Burial: Lisbon Cemetery. Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Mount Vernon, is caring for Rita and her family.
Everyone attending is required to wear a facemask and maintain social distancing. A livestream of the funeral service will be available for those not attending in person. Please find the livestream link on Rita's tribute wall and share your support and memories with her family at www.stewartbaxter.com under obituaries.
Survivors include her children, Tom (Michelle), Dave, Nancy (Randy) Williams, Jeff (Wendi) and Joe (Kim); daughter-in-law, Karla; grandchildren, Justin (Brandi), Lynnsey (Wayne), Josh (Amy), Eric (Brittany), Ashley, Chelsea, Chelsea Kay (Cody), Austin (Jamie), Colton, Dylan (Tonya), Kaitlyn (Joe), Lauryn, and Peyton; 21 great-grandchildren; siblings, Betty O'Toole, Paul Ortmann, Jerry Ortmann, John 'Jack' Ortmann; many nieces, nephews, and extended family members; adoptive neighbor family Jessie and Nate , Brant, Natalie, and Heidi Von Behrens; and her beloved card playing friends.
Rita Mary Ortmann was born July 13, 1932, in Remsen, Iowa, to John and Eleanor (Bohnenkamp) Ortmann. She graduated from St. Mary's High School in 1950, and married Donald Smith on November 10, 1953, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Remsen. After moving to the Lisbon area in 1954, the couple raised their six children, supporting them throughout their schooling, earning Rita multiple repeat diplomas. She worked in food service at Cornell for over 30 years, retiring in 2006. She was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church for 66 years. Rita enjoyed volunteering to deliver meals, drive folks to their appointments, assist at the community center, and any other way she could help. She was a past board member at Meyers Meadow where she called BINGO and hosted coffee chats. Her potato salad was world class, and she was the Euchre Queen of Lisbon.
Rita had the warmest heart and brightest smile who only saw the good in people and shared her giving and compassionate personality with all who knew and loved her. She will be dearly missed.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Donald; son, John; and siblings, Mary Jane Delperdang, Roman 'Stoop' Ortmann, Dick Ortmann, and Bob Ortmann.
Memorials may be directed to a charity of your choice in Rita's name.
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Condolences to all of Rita’s family and friends. I was so saddened and sorry to hear of her passing. She was such a neat lady – – kind and caring – – with an infectious laugh.
Rita and her Wednesday dinner group used to come into Paul Reveres every Wednesday evening ,it was great seeing her smiling face come through the door. The Smith family are all great people. She let me know she was not happy about us selling our pizza place.
Rita will be really missed. She was some who help me learn to set a home when my parent separated.
Rita was a wonderful woman. She treated me the same as she would her own family. My family will miss her smile and laughter but her memories will live on through her loved ones.
We got to know Rita when we started having coffee at Hardees in the afternoon. She was always fun to visit with and always bring you a smile or two! Rita was a hard worker. She loved her family and spending time with them. Rita was a lovely lady and she will be missed by many. Our since sympathy to all of Rita’s family. Carol and Leroy Clark
May God Bless you all and give you peace over your loss. My heart goes out to all of you!!
Nancy and Family, I was so very sorry to see you have lost your great Mother. She always had such a great smile, a caring person she was. Your Mother was always there for me to step in and watch my “little girls” Kelley and Susan, when Tom was in the field and I was at the hospital. Your family such a great family they are. Wish I were a bit closer, I would be there for you. My Sincere Sympathy, You are in my thoughts and Prayers, Elaine Ferguson Green Valley AZ.
Please accept our condolences to the Smith family. Jeff and Wendi I am so sorry for your loss. Praying for you during this difficult time. Pat and Lee Cassabaum
With our deepest sympathy. Rita was always a Ray of Sunshine. Those Sunday mornings in Lisbon are always a fond memory. So sorry for your loss.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Your mom will be greatly missed.
So sorry for your loss. Rita was such a nice lady so glad we got to know her. She will be greatly missed by all.
I worked with Rita at the truck stop in Lisbon which is now Whitey’s. Rita was a lovely lady with a big heart of love and compassion. My deepest sympathy and prayers.