Rita Helen Tumbusch ended this life’s journey peacefully at the home of her beloved granddaughter in Reno, Nevada, on December 2, 2015.
Rita was born January 5, 1920 to Ellen and Walter Champion in Dayton Ohio. During World War II she worked at Wright Patterson Airfield in Dayton. After becoming widowed during the war she moved with her son and future husband, Edward Henry Tumbusch, to Torrence, California. They built a home in the San Fernando Valley raising eight more children.
She moved with her family to Washoe Valley, Nevada in 1977, attending the Holy Spirit Catholic Mission, then moved to Carson City in 1980. Rita was a member of Corpus Christi Catholic Church and served as a volunteer “pink lady” at Carson Tahoe Hospital for over 20 years accruing over 9,000 volunteer hours. She also volunteered at the Carson City Senior Center Thrift Store for many years.
Rita will be remembered for her love of life and family, her quick wit, her beautiful smile, love of animals, and her amazing quilts.
Rita is survived by her family; sons Theodore Hoerth (Charlene), and Christopher (Anne), her daughters Frances (Jon), Pamela (Reilly), Catherine (Edmund), and Mary (Christopher), thirteen grandchildren, and thirteen great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her sons Joseph, Gregory, and Stephen, and by husband’s Edward Tumbusch and Edward Hoerth.
A rosary will be held at Corpus Christi Church Thursday, December 10th at 6:00 pm and a funeral mass at the church will be Friday December 11th at 9:30 am. In lieu of flowers please make a donation in Rita’s name to St. Mary’s Hospice, 690 Sierra Rose Dr. Reno, Nevada 89511, or to Corpus Christi Church, 3597 N Sunridge Dr, Carson City, NV 89705
