Rita Irene Hartman, 70 years old, of Sunman, IN passed away unexpectedly on Friday, April 22, 2022. Born and raised on a farm in Sunman, Rita was one of nine children born to Anna and Leo Hartman. Rita came by her strong work ethic naturally by helping on the farm with the horses, chickens, cows, bailing hay and working in the gardens. The farm was always important to Rita and she continued to be her brother Donnie’s right hand man for the farm. Rita graduated from Sunman High School in 1970 and then studied at Good Samaritan School of Nursing where she earned her degree in 1973. She was an ER nurse for her first 20 years followed by another 23 years as a travel, an ICU and telemetry nurse, always working in a triage setting. Rita had a love for learning and giving unto others and continued to earn her license as a massage therapist and healing touch certification. A true testament to her compassionate and generous heart earned her the Florence Nightingale Award in 2018, which is the highest international distinction a nurse can achieve for their devotion to patient care.
Rita was the heart of her family and her world revolved around the activities of her children, grandchildren & extended grandchildren, nieces & nephews, and those that she would meet along the way. She was the loudest voice in the stands, cheering on her teams and loved ones. She was a diehard East Central football fan, even convincing the athletic director to give her a bucket of dirt from the original football field before they converted it to turf. This dirt, along with some extra field grass seed, are planted in her backyard. Faith played a large role in Rita’s life and she prayed the Rosary every morning while sitting on her porch. She credits a trip to the Grand Canyon for the epiphany that reignited her spiritual life and helped her rediscover herself. Rita enjoyed traveling and seeing the mountains, going out West to ski or East to Boone, North Carolina. She also enjoyed riding her bicycle and was proud of the roundtrip bike ride to Madison, IN for a Multiple Sclerosis benefit. Gardening and mowing the grass were some of her favorite things to do.
For Rita, time was of no essence. She took the time for everyone in her life, making them feel like they were the most important person in the world. She loved unconditionally and with her whole heart. Rita coordinated family events, ensuring everyone was together for Christmas, 4th of July, and other holidays. She held the unofficial role as the family doctor that everyone could depend on for guidance and care. Aunt Pete, as she was known to family, was the glue that held the family together, extending her love just by being herself. “Pete will know” was a common phrase used amongst family members whenever a question arose.
Rita will be deeply missed by her children Jason (Jamie) Rosfeld of Sunman and Erin (Damon Stapleton) Rosfeld of Sunman; grandchildren Cole (Taylor Hamilton) & Kane Rosfeld, Austin & Brady Ballart, Maddie & Rylie Stapleton; siblings Shirley Schuman, Don Hartman, Jerry Hartman, Phyllis Voegele, Carol Harsh, Janice (Gary) Dieselberg, Sylvia (Glen) Meeks, Linda (Gary) Zimmerman, ex-husband Tom Rosfeld and 31 nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by brother in laws Harold Schuman and Richard Harsh, sister in laws Ginger Hartman and Mary Hartman, nephew and Godchild Lance Hartman, nephew Jonathon Harsh and niece Beth Dieselberg.
Visitation for Rita will be held on Thursday, April 28 at All Saints Parish Life Center at 7536 Church Lane, W. Harrison, IN 47060. Rosary will begin at 4:00pm with visitation extending through 7:00pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, All Saints Parish at 9788 N. Dearborn Rd., Guilford, IN 47022 on Friday, April 29 at 11:30am. For those not able to attend, the Mass will be live streamed at https://www.youtube.com/user/aspweeklyhomily. Memorials to help defray funeral costs will be accepted at the visitation or can be mailed to Andres-Wuestefeld Funeral home at 25615 State Rt. 1, Guilford, IN 47022. Family and friends are encouraged to leave condolences at www.andres-wuestefeldfh.com.