Rita M. Boetticher

The remarkable, loving heart of Rita Marie Boetticher came to rest on January 17, 2025 at Lorain Estates Memory Care Unit in Lorain, Ohio. Rita was born on July 18, 1926 in Sandusky, Ohio to Peter and Lillian (Kromer) Bauer. All her life, she said she was a simple farm girl, which she was proud of, but she was so much more than that. Rita graduated in 1944 from St. Mary's Catholic High School, and has been told, that she is the last surviving member of that class. Because she excelled in her business classes, after graduation, Rita was recruited to work in the office of Army Ordinance Dept. at Plum Brook, Sandusky. When WWII ended, and the Ordinance closed, Rita was hired for office work at Philco, also in Sandusky. There, besides producing radios, some of the first t.v.'s rolled off the assembly lines.

In 1950, Rita married Harold F. Boetticher. Together they lived and worked on a small farm in Huron, Ohio selling farm fresh eggs and homegrown sweet corn. They were a team in everything they did. As Rita and Harold's two children became older, she started an office job at New Departure. Twenty years later, in 1986, Rita retired from the shipping department there. She had many wonderful friends from her New Departure days. Harold and Rita then had time to travel all over the United States and became yearly snowbirds to Florida. Rita's greatest joy, however, was being with her family. She loved hosting, cooking, playing cards and keeping up with all her family's milestones. 

Harold preceded Rita in death in 2008 after 58 years of marriage. Also preceding her in death, besides her parents, were her siblings: Harold Bauer (Esther), Leona Mowry, and Karl Bauer (Margie). Rita is survived by a son, David Boetticher (Lola Smith) of Sheffield Village, and daughter Diane Smith (Jim) of Norwalk, Ohio. She is also survived by her 3 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren: Brian Smith (Lauren) of Columbus and their children Hudson and Griffin, Cheryl Fix (Chris) of Perrysburg and their children Katelyn and Evan, and Aimee Schultz (Tyler) of Pickerington and their children Henry and Halle. Rita is also survived by several nieces and nephews and their spouses that she loved very much. The family wish to thank longtime friends Joanne Broz for her cards to Rita, as well as, Barb Jones of Huron, for all her acts of kindness thru the years. Rita also had such a kind heart, and she will forever be remembered for that. Per Rita's request, a funeral service for immediate family will be held. Interment will be at the Meadow Green Mausoleum, Huron, Ohio.

Foster Funeral Home & Crematory, Huron, is assisting the family. Online condolences may be shared at www.fosterfh.com.

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