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Rita Marnocha, 91, of South Bend, Indiana passed away on Monday, June 28, 2021 at Memorial Hospital of South Bend. Rita was born on August 14, 1929 in South Bend, Indiana to the late Roman and Mary (Andrzejewski) Kominkiewicz. On February 19, 1949 she married Erwin Marnocha, who preceded her in death on April 26, 1996. She is survived by three sons, Kenneth (Anne Marnocha, M.D.) Marnocha, M.D. of Zionsville, Indiana, Robert (Kathleen) Marnocha of Cape Coral, Florida, and Gary Marnocha; six grandchildren, Adam Marnocha, Jason (Samantha Scharlach) Marnocha, Brian (Mary Blume) Marnocha, Allison (Jordan) Sande, Michael (Cortney) Marnocha, and Matthew Marnocha; two great-grandchildren, Mark Marnocha and Lucian Sande; and one sister, Barbara Jagla of South Bend, Indiana. Rita was also preceded in death by three sisters, Gertrude Zima, Virginia Robinson, Henrietta Karmolinski; and one brother, Ervin Kominkiewicz.
“Grandma Rita", as she was known to all, was an avid Notre Dame fan. She loved to tailgate and go to Notre Dame football games. She was a member of St. Jude Catholic Church since her marriage and that is where her sons attended school. She enjoyed family get-togethers, traveling and family vacations, especially to Sanibel Island. She enjoyed the beach, pool and swimming. The Indianapolis 500 weekend was a special time, going to the parade and the race for many years. Grandma Rita made the weekend even more memorable with her twelve layer cake. Her greatest joys were her grandchildren and all the other children who knew her as “Grandma Rita”. All her “grandchildren” kept score of all the “dodos” they got from her for doing dumb things. She embraced life with a joy that was evident to all around her. She had the ability to make everyone laugh.
A visitation for Rita will be held on Friday, July 2, 2021 in the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Dr., South Bend, Indiana from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. A rosary will be prayed at 6:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Jude Catholic Church on Saturday, July 3, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. A visitation will be held at the church from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. prior to the Mass. Entombment will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery. Special Note: The family requests that anyone attending the visitation or Mass please wear a mask. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice in Rita’s honor. Online condolences may be left at www.kaniewski.com.
Oh Grandma Rita
She’s sweet, funny, and she’s kind
And she will always be on my mind
I met her last year on spring break
And gave me memories home to take
A wonderful lady we call Grandma Rita
It’s hard to find someone who’s sweet’a
She makes us laugh, she makes us smile
And sometimes shake our heads awhile
To all my friends, I wish she could meet ya’
Because we all need a Grandma Rita.
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