Rita M. Fritsch

Rita M. Fritsch, age 93 of Hamilton passed away at the home of her daughter with whom she resided, with her children at her bedside, on Tuesday, August 18, 2009. She was born in Reading, Ohio on January 22, 1916 the daughter of William J. and Henrietta (Von Hagen) Teismann. Rita was employed as a ward secretary for Mercy Hospital. She was a devoted Catholic who was dedicated to praying the rosary daily. Rita was a member of St. Julie Billiart Catholic Church, where she was active in the Altar Rosary Society; she also was a member of the Sterling Silvers. She enjoyed reading, bingo, playing cards, and family gatherings. Rita was a devoted wife, mother, and loving grandmother whose greatest enjoyment was being with her family and friends. On June 30, 1937 in Reading, she married Francis I. Fritsch, and he preceded her in death in 1994.

She is survived by her children, William (Colette) Fritsch of Pleasanton, California, Marilyn (Ronald) Vidourek of Hanover Township, Ann M. (Louis) Janik of Jacksonville, Florida, Richard (Kelly) Fritsch of Goodyear, Arizona, and Edward (Susan) Fritsch of Edgewood, Kentucky; 14 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; 10 step-grandchildren; 14 step-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Regina (Edward) Kettler of Cincinnati and Angela Segrist of Norwood; a brother-in-law, Robert Bergman of Independence, Kentucky; a sister-in-law, Charlotte Teismann of Cincinnati; and many loving nieces, nephews, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, William, Paul, and John (Jack) Teismann; two sisters, Mary Schmidt and Loretta Bergman; a granddaughter; and four great-grandchildren.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Julie Billiart Catholic Church, 224 Dayton Street, on Monday, August 24, 2009 at 11:00 AM with Fr. Jeff Silver, Celebrant. Burial will follow in St. Stephen Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the Brown-Dawson Funeral Home, 1350 Millville Avenue, on Sunday from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. The family requests memorials to St. Julie Billiart Catholic Church, Vitas Hospice, or to The Maureen L. Fritsch Cancer Assistance Fund c/o Hamilton Community Foundation.