Rita Ann (Schneider) Struewing, age 90, passed away peacefully on December 12, 2023, at Margaret Mary Health in Batesville, Indiana, surrounded by her loving family.
Born on June 2, 1933, in Morris, Indiana, Rita is the daughter of Henry and Helen (Stock) Schneider. She grew up in Morris, where she was raised alongside her siblings on her parents’ farm.
On May 22, 1954, she married Leroy Struewing. Rita was a dedicated spouse and a devoted mother to 11 children: Mary (Marty) Laker, David (Kelly) Struewing, Karen (Brad) Hicks, Jean (Mike) Bossert, Linda (Mark) Fullenkamp, Steve (Chrissy) Struewing, Elaine (Bart) Hicks, Dale (Sharon) Struewing, Donna (Ron) Harlemert, Eric (Stacey) Struewing, and Randy (Jolene) Struewing. Her family was the center of her life, and she took great joy in watching her children grow and succeed.
Throughout her life, Rita was known for her homemade bread and applesauce. She especially enjoyed crocheting and quilting. Whether it was working with her family doing the many chores of raising a large family, driving for the Sisters, leading the rosary, being a eucharistic minister at Holy Family Church, or simply helping family or friends, she touched the lives of those around her with kindness and grace.
She will be fondly remembered for being our go-to for canning, making “something out of nothing,” and not being afraid to fill in as an extra player on our home sports teams, as she was quite athletic and competitive! Still, most importantly, our prayer warrior. Her legacy will live on through the love and compassion she shared with everyone she knew.
Rita is survived by her siblings: twin Ruth (Leroy) Messerschmidt, Albert Schneider, Arthur (Grace) Schneider, Francie (Irvin) Hartman, Theresa (Pete) Eckerle, Rose (Richard) Roell, and Joe (Barb) Schneider. In addition to her siblings, Rita is survived by her 11 children, 29 grandchildren, and 45 great-grandchildren, with two on the way. She is preceded in death by her spouse, Leroy Struewing, son-in-law, Marty Laker; sisters Marie Dierckman, Dorothy Schneider; brothers Wilbur and Bernard Schneider, and the Holy Innocents we hold close to our hearts.
The family would like to thank the caring staff at St. Andrew’s and Margaret Mary Health for their compassionate care.
Visitation is Monday, December 18th, from 4 – 7 p.m., at Weigel Funeral Home in Batesville. A Mass of Christian Burial to celebrate Rita’s life will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 19th, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Oldenburg, with Fr. Carl Langenderfer officiating. Family and friends are invited to attend and share their memories. The burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family of Rita kindly requests donations be made to the Crisis Pregnancy Hotline in her honor! Condolences and memories can be shared at https://www.weigelfh.com.
May Rita Struewing’s soul rest in eternal peace, and may her memory be a source of comfort and inspiration to all who knew and loved her.