Rita Olson

The youngest of six children, Rita was born on Feb. 18, 1949, in Crystal Falls, daughter of the late Sherman and Alene (Sexton) Hamby. She was raised in Randville, and graduated from Channing High School in 1966.

On April 25, 1970, she married her husband, Ronald Lee Olson. This year they would have celebrated 55 years together. They spent much of their life in Kingsford, until, at the age of 65, they decided to move to South Bend, to be near their daughter, Hope, son-in-law, Scott, and their grandchildren, Emmaleigh, Erica, Alex and Laurel.

Rita was a devoted wife, mother, MorMor, and friend. She loved to laugh and was always quick with a joke. She always had a smile on her face and was fun to be around. Rita loved animals! Her furry babies will miss her! She was creative, a great cook and loved to knit. She loved the Lord with all her heart! She was a member of Trinity Church and was involved in Gideons International for many years. Rita loved to read her Bible and sing hymns. She was an incredibly compassionate person and loved spending time with her family.

She worked a few jobs over the years, but her biggest role was caregiver, from raising their only daughter to taking care of her aging parents, in-laws, and other relatives. With her husband having Parkinson’s for many years, she was always by his side, supporting and caring for him.

Rita is survived by her loving husband of 54 years, Ronald, a daughter, Hope (Scott) Rood of LaPorte, Ind.; four grandchildren, Emmaleigh Kate Atwater, Erica Nicole Atwater, Laurel Margaret Rood of LaPorte, and Alexander Henry Rood of Bloomington, Ind.; a sister, Wanda (Robert) Roell of Iron Mountain; sister-in-laws, Sally Olson of Kingsford, Dolores Hamby of Iron Mountain, Florence Hamby of Randville; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Donald Hamby, Ronald Hamby, and Kenneth Hamby; one sister, Lessie Carlson; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Floyd and Marian Olson; and brother-in-law, Dennis Olson.

Funeral services will be held at Trinity Church, 61770 Miami Road, South Bend, on Thursday, March 27, with visitation from 9 to 11 a.m.

The funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. at the church with Pastor Joshua Brooks officiating. A private graveside service for family will be at a later date at Southlawn Cemetery, South Bend.

The Palmer Funeral Home, Guisinger Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements. Online condolences may be offered to the family via www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.